Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita visited the UNESCO World Heritage City of Luang Prabang in August, where Government of India-funded projects are supporting the preservation of the city’s cultural heritage. Describing the visit as an opportunity to witness India-funded Quick Impact Projects, Mr Margherita highlighted their role in preserving shared heritage, promoting tourism and benefiting communities at the grassroots.

A significant moment was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between India and Laos for the conservation and restoration of mural paintings at Wat Pa Khae Temple, with Indian assistance. Mr Margherita also unveiled a plaque marking the project. The temple’s Ramayana and Jataka-themed paintings provide a striking expression of the deep civilisational and cultural connections between India and Laos.

The Diaspora Connection

In Vientiane, Mr Margherita interacted with the Indian diaspora and acknowledged its contribution to strengthening the close and friendly ties between the two countries. He described the community as an “invaluable living bridge”, underlining the people-to-people dimension of India–Laos relations.

He also met alumni of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Mr Margherita noted that India’s capacity-building partnerships continue to contribute to the developmental journey of Lao PDR while reinforcing people-to-people ties. He described the alumni as important pillars of bilateral friendship, fostering deeper civilisational connections, goodwill and mutual trust, while also contributing to India’s Act East Policy.

Tourism And Textiles

The economic dimension of the relationship also featured during Mr Margherita’s engagements in Vientiane, where he interacted with stakeholders from Laos’ tourism and textile sectors. Discussions explored avenues to enhance bilateral trade, promote sustainable tourism and revive traditional textile links.

The shared civilisational heritage of India and Laos, he noted, offers considerable potential for greater economic synergy, livelihood creation and stronger business-to-business connections. Tourism and textiles therefore provide an opportunity to translate cultural affinity into practical economic engagement, while supporting traditional skills and local communities.

Ramayana On Stage

The cultural connection came vividly alive at the National Theatre in Vientiane, where Mr Margherita inaugurated a performance of the iconic Phra Lak Phra Lam, the Lao adaptation of the Ramayana. Supported through Indian grant assistance, the performance offered another expression of the deep-rooted civilisational links between the two countries.

For India and Laos, the Ramayana is more than a shared literary tradition. Its adaptation into Lao cultural expression demonstrates how ideas and stories can travel across centuries and borders while acquiring distinctive local identities. The performance therefore complemented the conservation work at Wat Pa Khae, bringing the shared heritage from temple walls to the stage.

From Luang Prabang’s historic murals to Vientiane’s theatre, from the Indian diaspora to ITEC and ICCR alumni, and from tourism and textiles to grassroots development projects, Mr Margherita’s engagements highlighted a relationship in which culture, community and cooperation reinforce one another. The heritage being preserved is not confined to monuments or manuscripts; it continues to live through people, skills, stories and institutions, providing India and Laos with a durable foundation for closer ties.