This Article is From Sep 17, 2015

Vice President Hamid Ansari Visits Laos to Strengthen Ties and Trade

Vice President Hamid Ansari Visits Laos to Strengthen Ties and Trade

File Photo of Vice President Hamid Ansari.

Vientiane: Vice President Hamid Ansari arrived in Laos today on a two-day visit. He will hold extensive talks with the Laotian leadership to deepen bilateral ties especially trade links as part of India's Act East policy.

Mr Ansari, who is the first Vice President visit the country, was received by Vongsavath Boupha, Minister to the President's office and India's Ambassador to Laos, Ravi Shankar Aisola at the Wattay International Airport.

Mr Ansari will hold talks with his Laotian counterpart Bounnhang Vorachith tomorrow. He will also call on President Choummaly Sayasone and meet Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong. Ansari will also visit the That Luang Stupa, which is a national symbol.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Vice President of the National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane will call on Mr Ansari.

This is also the first high-level visit by an Indian official after former President Pratibha Patil in 2010.

Mr Ansari shares deep cultural links with Lao PDR, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Anil Wadhwa had said ahead of the visit.

Highlighting important cultural links between India and Laos, Mr Wadhwa had said, "Another symbol of very high civilisational links (between India and Laos) is the Vat Phou, a Shiva temple in Champasak province, dating back to the 5th century AD so it predates Angkor Wat."

"India-Laos commercial ties need to be strengthened because the present bilateral trade is not reflective of our potential. There seems to be a need for an interaction between industry chambers, participation in each other's exhibition etc. The Indian private sector will be encouraged by this visit to explore opportunities in Laos," Mr Wadhwa said.

"India has extended a total credit line of USD 165 million over the past decade for infrastructure project which includes transmission lines, equipment for rural electrification, hydro power projects and irrigation schemes," he said. The Vice President's visit will focus on shoring up economic ties, Mr Wadhwa added.

Total trade between India and Laos in 2013-2014 was USD 89.29 million.
.