Vientiane: The Embassy of India in the Lao PDR hosted a reception in honour of Shri Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles of the Government of India, on 28 August 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Vientiane.
According to Lao News Agency, the reception was attended by Yogeshwar Sangwan, Ambassador of India to Lao PDR, along with alumni of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), representatives of the business community, and members of the Indian community in Lao PDR.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Pabitra Margherita expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to interact with the Indian diaspora in Lao PDR, highlighting the community’s role in strengthening the relations between India and Laos.
He praised the Indian community for its contribution to bilateral ties, describing it as a ‘living bridge’ between the two countries. He noted that the community’s engagement has promoted mutual understanding, goodwill, and stronger people-to-people connections.
The Minister of State also highlighted the importance of India’s capacity-building partnerships with Lao PDR, noting their contribution to the country’s development journey and the further strengthening of relations between the two nations.
He recognised the contributions of ITEC and ICCR alumni, describing them as pillars of India-Laos friendship. Through their professional and community engagement, the alumni continue to foster civilisational connections, goodwill, and mutual trust between India and Lao PDR.
The reception provided an opportunity for the Minister of State to engage with members of the Indian community, programme alumni, and representatives of the business sector, while reaffirming India’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Lao PDR.
India and Laos have maintained relations based on mutual respect, historical and cultural links, and growing cooperation across areas including capacity building, trade, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.