Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles Pabitra Margherita will undertake an official visit to Vietnam, Lao PDR and Palau from August 26 to September 2, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday.
The visit will cover bilateral engagements with the three countries as well as participation in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting with Dialogue Partners in Palau.
Margherita will begin his tour with a visit to Vietnam on August 26-27. During the visit, he is scheduled to meet senior Vietnamese government leaders to review progress in bilateral relations, which were recently elevated to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the visit of Vietnam’s Party General Secretary and President To Lam to India.
The Minister will also engage with key stakeholders and members of the Indian community in Vietnam.
He will then travel to Lao PDR for a visit on August 28-29, coinciding with the commemoration of 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Laos.
During his visit, Margherita will exchange views with the Lao leadership on strengthening the two countries’ longstanding ties and development partnership. He will also review progress in ongoing cooperation projects, including initiatives aimed at preserving the shared cultural heritage of India and Lao PDR.
The Minister will also interact with members of the Indian community in the country.
The MEA said that India and the countries of the Mekong region share deep civilisational and cultural linkages. Vietnam and Lao PDR are key partners in India’s Act East Policy and its Indo-Pacific vision.
The MEA said that the visit is expected to underline India’s commitment to ASEAN unity and centrality and contribute to strengthening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Margherita will subsequently visit Palau on September 1-2 to attend the PIF Leaders’ Meeting with Dialogue Partners, being held as part of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum and related meetings.
During his stay in Palau, he will hold high-level bilateral engagements with the country’s leadership and interact with delegations from PIF member states as well as other Dialogue Partners on the sidelines of the meetings.
The MEA said that the visit is expected to provide an opportunity for India to further strengthen its longstanding partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum and Pacific Island countries, including Palau.
