This article covers the cultural, educational and people-to-people links between India and Lao PDR, and the Indian community in Laos. It draws on the MEA brief of June 2026, including its sections on shared heritage, cultural events, youth and media exchanges, scholarships and the community.

Shared heritage

The brief states that, according to a legend, emissaries of King Asoka brought a relic of the Buddha to Laos, which is believed to have been placed underneath That Luang, Laos' national monument, in Vientiane. The ancient Shiva temple of Bhadreshwara, now known as Vat Phou, is a ruined Khmer Hindu temple complex in southern Laos.

The Ramayana, whose local version is called Ramakien or the Story of Phra Lak Phra Ram, is popular and revered in Laos and is performed on auspicious occasions. The Government of India has supported the preservation of performance of the Phlak-Phlam drama in Luang Prabang province and of shadow puppet theatre in Champassak province, both part of the ancient cultural linkage of the Ramayana between the two countries. As of June 2026, India was also supporting a project for the preservation and restoration of Ramayana theatre performance in Vientiane capital, expected to be completed in 2026.

During his visit to Vientiane in October 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met senior Buddhist monks for a blessing ceremony and watched an episode of the Lao Ramayana (called Phalak Phalam or Phra Lak Phra Ram), performed by the Royal Theatre of Luang Prabang. He also saw an exhibition on the restoration work by the ASI at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Vat Phou.

Cultural agreements

The brief lists two cultural agreements:

  • India-Laos Cultural Agreement (17 August 1994)
  • MoU on Cultural Exchange Programme (3rd June 2026)

Commemorative stamps

A special commemorative postage stamp set issued by Lao PDR on the theme "Celebrating shared cultural heritage of Lao PDR and India" was unveiled jointly by the External Affairs Minister and the Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in Vientiane on 27 July 2024. A joint stamp was also released by the two countries commemorating 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.

Yoga

According to the MEA brief of June 2026, India's Mission organised the flagship event of the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) in Vientiane on 21 June 2025, attended by more than 1,000 participants. Events for the 11th IDY were held in nine locations in four cities of Lao PDR. During his July 2024 visit, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar launched the Common Yoga Protocol in the Lao language.

Festivals and cultural visits

  • 14 artists from the Royal Ballet Theater, Luang Prabang, visited India from 15-31 Jan 2024 to take part in the 7th India International Ramayana Mela, held from 18-21 January 2024 at Purana Qila, New Delhi, with further performances in Lucknow and Ayodhya organised by ICCR.
  • A cultural troupe from Lao PDR took part in the 9th International Folk Festival of ICCR from 1st-10th October 2025.

Youth and media exchanges

A nine-member youth delegation from Lao universities and academic institutions, with four representatives of the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports, attended the National Cadet Corps Youth Exchange Programme in India from 15-29 January 2024, together with the Republic Day functions. A 7 member delegation from Lao PDR took part in the 5th ASEAN-India Youth Summit in Goa in August 2025.

Under the ASEAN-India media exchange programme, a media delegation visited Laos on 01-03 July 2024, meeting the ASEAN and Press Departments of the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, and visiting the Vat Phou World Heritage Site. A group of 3 Lao journalists travelled to India under the Familiarisation Visit for South East Asian media persons organised by the External Publicity Division of the Ministry of External Affairs. Two social media influencers from Lao PDR took part in a Familiarisation Visit to India organised by the Ministry from 16th-26th April 2026.

Scholarships and education

The Government of India has been providing scholarships annually to Lao nationals under various schemes. 18 scholarships are awarded to Lao students under ICCR and MGC for undergraduate, postgraduate and Ph.D degrees. 5 Lao students received ASEAN scholarships to study for a Master's programme at Nalanda University for the academic batch 2022-24.

India and Lao PDR signed an MoU on the Establishment of Nalanda University on 10 October 2013. During his visit in July 2024, the External Affairs Minister interacted with ICCR scholars from Lao PDR.

The Indian community in Laos

As of June 2026, the brief puts the Indian community at about 500. Its members are largely engaged in the jewellery trade, the restaurant and hotel industry, manufacturing, garments, mining, plantations and agar wood, and a few work for international organisations, multinationals, consulting organisations and private businesses.

The brief notes that the community is said to have been much larger during the sixties and early seventies. Many left after the Communists took over in 1975, and some returned after a lapse of some years.

The Lao-India Friendship Association and the Indian Society for Cultural Cooperation and Friendship signed an MoU in July 2022 to promote people-to-people ties, but the brief states that it has not been activated. With the Mission's support and facilitation, the Indian community has, for the first time, started to come together to celebrate Indian cultural festivals since 2023. The community also gave the Prime Minister a warm welcome on his arrival in Vientiane in October 2024.

For the first time, a Lao national of Indian origin, Mr Soukhtavy Chowdhury, was awarded the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award by the President of India.