Pabitra Margherita’s visit to Vietnam and Laos reflects the government’s hope to deepen engagements with the Southeast Asian nations and to step up India’s efforts to advance the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo Pacific and facilitate Greater Indo Pacific Connectivity as part of the thrust on India’s Act East Policy that emphasizes on India’s commitment to the ASEAN Centrality.
The visit marked a strategic dialogue along with economic, cultural and development outreach highlighting India’s regional engagement beyond a security partnership and into trade, heritage and people-to-people ties.
Vietnam Visit Deepens Strategic and Economic Ties
In Hanoi, Margherita sat down with the Vietnamese leaders, such as Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Senior Lieutenant General Le Tan Toi, at high-level meetings. The two sides discussed a few points such as the improvement and support to the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as well as pushing forward previously signed bilateral commitments.
Other key features of the visit were economic matters. The minister attended the meetings with the textile, tourism industries of Vietnam and visited Garco 10 Corporation, which has promoted the potential of the two countries’ cooperation in the field of industry and trade.
Culture and Diaspora Diplomacy in Hanoi
The Vietnam leg also involved activities based on more than government-to-government negotiations. Margherita interacted with the Indian community in Hanoi and explained that ND had an interest in supporting the community.
He was also involved in culture outreach events such as appearing at Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and the environmental program at Phap Van Pagoda. Such encounters help boost the element of the twin-track diplomacy people-to-people aspect of India with its neighbours.
Laos Marks 70 Years of Diplomatic Relations
The visit in Lao PDR coincided with the 70th founding of the relations between India and Lao PDR, and hence, the visit had acquired additional historic significance. Margherita also met with Lao leaders such as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Defence Minister Gen. Khamlieng Outhakaysone.
The discussions were about bilateral cooperation and also boosted India’s role in the Mekong sub-region. The event falls within the ambit of New Delhi’s strategy to develop long-term relations through development aid and diplomatic discussions.
Heritage Preservation Becomes Diplomatic Outreach
Significant results included the exchange of the memorandum concerning the conservation and restoration of Wat Pa Khae’s murals in Luang Prabang. Another field of discussion included cultural relations between India and Laos, which were touching upon traditional performing arts.
Margherita opened the doors for India-Lao PDR (70 joint seminars) and started working on the conservation of the traditional Phlak-Phlam dance as well as promoting support to the National Arts College of Laos. These are aimed at establishing a basis for greater goodwill between nations through common heritage.
Quick Impact Projects Strengthen India’s Mekong Presence
Additionally, the minister visited other projects supported by India such as the Bodhi Tree Project in Mount Phou Si and the Ramayana Theatre. It is indicative of India’s advocacy for development partnerships on a smaller scale that serves the community.
These programmes may help boost India’s presence in the Mekong region without the financial burden of large-scale dependency that can come with major infrastructure.
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Centrality of ASEAN to India
India is closely associated with India’s active action in the Southeast Asian region, both for supporting ASEAN Centrality and for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. New Delhi doesn’t want to supplant the ASEAN-led mechanisms, but is standing as a viable economic, diplomatic and strategic partner.
Vietnam and Laos in particular assume great significance to the approach, as they link up India’s engagement in the Southeast Asian region with the broader Mekong region. This greater connectivity can then contribute to India’s all-round intent to build a connected, balanced Indo-Pacific.
What Does the Visit Means for the Act East Policy?
All this demonstrates that the Act East policy of India is indeed gaining multi-fold dimensions. Alongside trade, cultural preservation, education and development assistance/diaspora engagement, strategic partnerships continue to be strengthened.
For ASEAN, this gives India avenues to co-contribute to the region’s connectivity and development to honour the centrality of ASEAN. A more in-depth relationship with Southeast Asian countries is also one more way for New Delhi to build influence in the Indo-Pacific region without giving up its quest for strategic autonomy.
