Third Foreign Office Consultations between India, Laos held in Vientiane

The third India-Lao Foreign Office (FOC) consultations took place in the country's capital Vientiane on Thursday.

The FOC was co-chaired by Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos and Saurabh Kumar, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs.

Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs tweeted, “The 3rd India-Laos FOC was held in Vientiane today, co-chaired by Secy (East) @AmbSaurabhKumar and Dy FM Mr. Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, Laos. The two presented an overview of extensive relationships in several sectors.

"Discussions included a comprehensive review of partnerships across sectors, including development cooperation, trade, defence, agriculture, health, heritage conservation, capacity building and current regional and global issues," Bagchi added in his tweet.

The second foreign office consultation took place on August 10, 2015 in New Delhi, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

According to the MEA, India and Laos have "long-standing, friendly and mutually supportive relations". The views of the two sides often diverge in international forums on topics of common interest. Additionally, Laos supports India's demand for permanent membership in the UN Security Council.

Laos is part of India's wider neighborhood, as Myanmar is the only country that separates it from India's northeast. According to the MEA, "As India's presence grows and success stories mount, India-Laos relations in various spheres are likely to grow."