President Pratibha Devisingh Patil's 10-day state visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and Cambodia will see India seeking cooperation in new areas, including collaboration in combating extremism and terrorism, a concern that India is now taking to its eastern allies.
“I look forward to an exchange of views with Laos and Cambodia on how we can promote greater stability and security in the region,” Ms. Patil told the Indian media. The three countries have “much to gain by cooperating with each other in combating extremism and terrorism,” she pointed out.
“As part of our ‘Look East Policy' from the early 1990s, India has emerged as one of the largest trading partners of Asean [Association of Southeast Asian Nations]. As country coordinator for India from 2003-06 in Asean, Laos played a proactive and supportive role in enhancing India's profile in the region,” said Ms. Patil.
She noted that under Cambodia's Asean chairmanship India attained summit-level partnership.
Asked how India viewed China's growing presence in the region, she said India's relationship with Beijing was enduring and strong. “We believe that there is enough scope in the world for both the countries to develop and grow and both can fulfil and achieve their aspirations simultaneously.”
The President, who is visiting the two countries on the invitation of Laos President Choummaly Sayasone and King of Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni, is accompanied by a business delegation from India. The second Indian president to visit the Lao PDR, Ms. Patil was met at the International Wattay Airport in Vientiane on Thursday by Khempheng Pholsena, Minister in the office of the Prime Minister.
During her four-day stay in Lao PDR, Ms. Patil will visit historical sites in Luang Prabang. It is expected that several agreements will be signed between the two countries, including in the field of culture. In Cambodia, the President will visit Siem Reap to see the Angkor Wat complex.
