India and Laos on Wednesday reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations, including political cooperation, trade, defence, development partnership, education and cultural exchanges, as External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar co-chaired the 10th India-Lao Joint Commission Meeting with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongsavan Phomvihane in New Delhi.Welcoming the Lao leader on his first visit to India, Jaishankar congratulated him on the successful conduct of Laos’ National Assembly elections and his elevation as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.Highlighting the deep-rooted ties between the two countries, Jaishankar said India and Laos share close civilisational links reflected in their common Buddhist heritage and the Ramayana tradition. He noted that the relationship is anchored in centuries-old cultural and people-to-people connections.The External Affairs Minister recalled his visit to Laos during the country’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Laos in October that year for the ASEAN-related summits.Jaishankar said several agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed during Modi’s visit, providing fresh momentum to bilateral cooperation. He said the Joint Commission Meeting offered an opportunity to review the implementation of those agreements and explore a wide-ranging agenda covering economic ties, defence cooperation, development partnership, education, culture and multilateral engagement.Expressing confidence that the discussions would be productive, Jaishankar reiterated India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Laos. Phomvihane also called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.Welcoming the Lao Deputy Prime Minister, the President said India and Laos were celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, describing it as a significant milestone in bilateral ties.Murmu noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Laos in October 2024 had imparted fresh momentum to cooperation through the conclusion of several agreements.The President said bilateral trade had witnessed growth but underlined that considerable untapped potential remained in trade and investment. She expressed India’s willingness to expand cooperation in information and communication technology, healthcare, medicine, agriculture, irrigation, manufacturing, renewable energy and electricity.Murmu also highlighted India’s readiness to share its experience in innovation and the knowledge-based economy, while noting that the development partnership between the two countries was increasingly aligned with the aspirations of Lao youth and the country’s socio-economic priorities.The two sides agreed that closer cooperation would bring substantial benefits to the people of both countries and further deepen the longstanding partnership.