Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles Pabitra Margherita concluded a four day official visit to Vietnam and Laos from 26 to 29 August 2026 to deepen bilateral partnerships under India’s Act East Policy. In Hanoi he planted a sapling at the historic Phap Van Pagoda as part of the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, while in Laos he launched initiatives to preserve the Phlak Phlam dance and strengthen the National Arts College and witnessed an MoU for restoration of murals at Wat Pa Khae Temple in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang. The visit, which coincided with 70 years of India Laos diplomatic ties, reaffirmed India’s commitment to ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo Pacific (AOIP).
Who Is Pabitra Margherita
Pabitra Margherita, born as Pabitra Gogoi on 13 October 1974 at Margherita in Tinsukia district, Assam, is the Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles. He has held the portfolio since 11 June 2024 after being sworn in as a Union Minister of State on 9 June 2024 in the Third Modi ministry. He is a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament from Assam since 31 March 2022, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Margherita completed a Diploma in Textile Technology from the Assam Textile Institute, Guwahati and also studied at Jagannath Barooah College, Jorhat and Margherita College. He began his political work in 2014 as a spokesperson for the Assam BJP and later served as Prabhari of the Social Media Cell, Zila Prabhari for Kamrup North, Chairman of Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio under the Government of Assam from 2017 to 2021, and Member Secretary of the State Level Advisory Committee for Students and Youth Welfare, Assam. He also served as Political Secretary to the Chief Minister of Assam and as a member of the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Before politics, he contributed to Assamese art and culture as chief editor of the monthly magazines Maya from 1998 to 2002 and Sa Re Ga Ma from 2002 to 2005, and as a producer of more than 20 short films and documentaries and over 100 folk and contemporary songs. He also acted in the Assamese feature film Mon Jai.
As Minister of State, his August 2026 tour to Vietnam and Laos was an official visit from 26 to 29 August 2026 conducted on behalf of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which is headquartered in New Delhi and led by the External Affairs Minister with Ministers of State assisting in bilateral and regional outreach.
What Is India’s Act East Policy
India’s Act East Policy is India’s framework for strengthening economic, strategic, cultural and connectivity ties with Southeast Asia and the wider Indo Pacific, with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at its core. The policy focuses on what is often called the 4 Cs, which are Culture, Commerce, Connectivity and Capacity Building, and it complements India’s vision of SAGAR, or Security and Growth for All in the Region, for the maritime domain.
From Look East to Act East
India first launched the Look East Policy in the early 1990s under Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao after economic liberalisation. It was designed to reconnect with Southeast Asia after decades of limited engagement during the Cold War. At that time India became a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992, a full dialogue partner in 1996 and a summit level partner in 2002.
The policy was upgraded to the Act East Policy in 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who announced it at the 9th East Asia Summit in November 2014 in Myanmar. The change was more than a name. Where Look East was largely about opening trade and dialogue, Act East signalled a shift from intent to implementation, adding a stronger focus on practical cooperation, infrastructure connectivity, defence, maritime security and proactive diplomacy. The government made it clear that India would not just look east but act east.
This shift also placed renewed importance on Northeast India as a land bridge to Southeast Asia, linking states such as Assam, Manipur and Nagaland bordering Myanmar to ASEAN markets through roads, rail, air and digital links.
ASEAN Centrality and the Indo Pacific Outlook
A central idea in the Act East Policy is ASEAN centrality, which means ASEAN sits at the centre of the regional architecture. India works with this architecture through platforms such as the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN India Summit, BIMSTEC which is the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, and the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) that links India with the Mekong countries, which include Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar.
Since 2019 India has also aligned its Act East engagement with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo Pacific (AOIP), which calls for an open, inclusive and rules based order. The MEA statement on Margherita’s visit specifically reaffirmed India’s support for AOIP, underlining that the Vietnam and Laos engagements were not only bilateral but also part of a broader commitment to regional stability and rule of law in the Indo Pacific.
Vietnam Leg of the Visit: Key Engagements in Hanoi
Margherita was in Vietnam from 26 to 27 August 2026. Vietnam is one of India’s strongest partners in ASEAN, with ties elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2007, a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2016, and an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2026 following the state visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to India in May 2026. Vietnam’s capital is Hanoi and the country lies along the eastern edge of the Indochina Peninsula, sharing borders with China, Laos and Cambodia.
Meetings and Strategic Follow Up
In Hanoi the Minister met Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Senior Lieutenant General Le Tan Toi to review bilateral ties and follow up on outcomes from To Lam’s May 2026 state visit. He also delivered a keynote address at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) and met its President Le Van Loi, engaging with scholars on regional cooperation.
Economic engagement formed a second track. Margherita held separate interactions with representatives of Vietnam’s tourism and textile industries and with ICCR and ITEC alumni. ICCR is the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, which promotes cultural exchanges, and ITEC is the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme, India’s flagship capacity building initiative launched in 1964. He also visited Garco 10 Corporation, a leading Vietnamese apparel manufacturer, reflecting his textiles portfolio and interest in supply chain links between the two countries. A meeting with the Indian diaspora in Vietnam reaffirmed New Delhi’s commitment to community welfare abroad.
Planting Roots at Phap Van Pagoda Under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam
A symbolic highlight in Vietnam was the visit to Phap Van Pagoda in Hanoi. The pagoda, located at 1299 Giai Phong Street in Hoang Mai District, is one of the oldest pagodas in Hanoi. Its exact construction date is unknown, but inscriptions record a major renovation during the reign of King Thanh Thai more than 100 years ago, with another renovation for the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long, Hanoi in 2010. The name honours Phap Van, the God of Cloud, one of four deities in Vietnamese folk belief along with Phap Vu for Rain, Phap Loi for Thunder and Phap Dien for Lightning, representing a blend of Buddhism and local belief.
Here Margherita planted a sapling under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative. Literally meaning One Tree in the Name of Mother in English, the campaign was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day, 5 June 2024 at Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi with the planting of a Peepal tree. The idea is simple and personal, to plant a tree as a tribute to one’s mother while contributing to environmental protection. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change led implementation and achieved its initial target of 80 crore seedlings by 25 September 2024, five days ahead of schedule, and set a larger target of 140 crore by March 2025. The campaign expanded into schools as Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0, launched on 5 June 2025, with more than 10.35 crore saplings planted across schools by October 2025. An app and a microsite on the Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE portal allow participants to upload images, tag locations and track growth.
By extending the campaign to a Vietnamese pagoda, the visit linked domestic environmental action with cultural diplomacy, planting a living symbol of friendship on sacred ground.
Laos Leg of the Visit: Celebrating 70 Years of Ties and Shared Heritage
The Laos leg took place on 28 to 29 August 2026 and coincided with the 70th anniversary of India Laos diplomatic relations. Diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1956, soon after Laos gained full independence in 1953. Laos, officially the Lao People’s Democratic Republic or Lao PDR, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia with its capital at Vientiane, bordered by Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Only Myanmar separates it from Northeast India, making it part of India’s extended neighbourhood.
India and Lao PDR at 70: From Development Partnership to Comprehensive Partnership
In Vientiane Margherita met Deputy Prime Ministers Thongsavanh Phomvihane and Khamlieng Outhakaysone and Deputy Foreign Minister Anouparb Vongnorkeo. The discussions reviewed development cooperation and explored ways to elevate the relationship from a development partnership to a broader comprehensive partnership, a phrase that framed the anniversary year.
He delivered the keynote address at the joint seminar titled India and Lao PDR at 70: From Development Partnership to Comprehensive Partnership, organised by the Institute of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR and the Embassy of India in Vientiane. In his remarks he highlighted historic ties, mutual trust and cooperation as partners in the Global South. The seminar underlined that India sees Laos as a key partner in its Act East Policy and Indo Pacific vision and as central to strengthening the ASEAN India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2022.
The Minister also visited iconic sites in Vientiane, including That Luang, the gold covered stupa which encloses a relic of the Buddha and serves as the national emblem of Laos, and the Patuxay Monument, a war memorial dedicated to those who fought for independence from France.
Cultural Heritage in Focus: Phlak Phlam Dance and National Arts College
Two cultural initiatives were launched during the Vientiane engagements.
The first was a project for the preservation of the Phlak Phlam dance, also written as Phra Lak Phra Ram or Phralak Phralam. This is the national epic of Laos, a Lao adaptation of the Indian Ramayana. The story arrived in Laos around the 16th century through Buddhist missions from the Khmer and Thai traditions. In the Lao version the epic is treated as a Jataka tale, a previous life of the Buddha, rather than a Hindu epic. The heroes Phra Lak and Phra Ram embody moral leadership and devotion to duty, and the episodes, such as the abduction of Nang Sida by Thotsakan who is Ravana, Hanuman’s quest to Lanka and the final rescue, are performed as a classical court dance drama with masked dancers, ornate costumes and live orchestras. Historically performed at the Royal Palace in Luang Prabang and today at the Royal Theatre on the grounds of the National Museum, the dance is accompanied by a piphat style orchestra with traditional instruments such as the khene mouth organ and remains central to Pi Mai, the Lao New Year celebrations. Supporting its preservation keeps a living link between the Ramayana tradition shared by India and Laos.
The second initiative relates to the National Arts College and the broader National College of Arts in Laos, aimed at strengthening arts education and training. Both projects build on India’s people to people pillar, providing institutional support for the next generation of Lao artists and custodians of heritage.
Restoring History: MoU for Wat Pa Khae Temple Murals in Luang Prabang
The heritage leg concluded in Luang Prabang, a city in northern Laos inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage City since 1995 for its well preserved blend of traditional Lao and colonial architecture and its Buddhist temple landscape. Luang Prabang is located at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers and served as the royal capital of Laos until 1975.
Here Margherita witnessed the exchange of an MoU for the Conservation and Restoration of Murals at Wat Pa Khae Temple with support from the Government of India. He also unveiled a plaque marking the project. The murals are Ramayana and Jataka themed paintings that reflect the deep civilisational and cultural connect between the two countries. The temple is sometimes transliterated as Wat Pa Khae, Wat Pa Khe or Wat Pakea in English reports.
The MoU follows a pattern of heritage cooperation. India has been assisting conservation at Vat Phou, a 5th century Shiva temple turned Buddhist complex in Champasak province, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), established in 1861 and headquartered in New Delhi, has been working at Vat Phou since an MoU in 2007, with Phase I from 2007 to 2017 at about ₹17 crore and Phase II from 2018 to 2028 at about ₹24 crore. In October 2024, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit for the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, India and Laos signed agreements for three Quick Impact Projects, each supported by a $50,000 grant, covering preservation of the Lao Ramayana, restoration of Wat Pakea and support for shadow puppetry theatre in Champasak.
During the Luang Prabang stop the Minister also visited other Quick Impact Project (QIP) sites. QIPs are small scale, community focused development projects implemented under the Mekong Ganga Cooperation framework, with India providing grant assistance for quick delivery. Sites visited included the Bodhi Tree at Mount Phou Si, a sacred fig sapling gifted by India and planted at the hill that dominates the centre of Luang Prabang, and the Ramayana Theatre. The Bodhi Tree links to Bodh Gaya in Bihar, where the Buddha attained enlightenment under the original Bodhi Tree, today honoured at the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Why Vietnam and Laos Matter for India
Understanding the visit requires seeing where Vietnam and Laos sit in India’s eastern strategy.
| Country | Capital | Key Relationship with India | Strategic Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | Hanoi | Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since May 2026, earlier Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since 2016 and Strategic Partnership since 2007. Bilateral trade was about $18 billion in 2025-2026 with a target of $25 billion by 2030. | Maritime partner in the South China Sea, defence partner with a $500 million Line of Credit, key ASEAN economy and gateway for Indo Pacific supply chains. |
| Laos | Vientiane | Development partnership since 1956, now marking 70 years and moving toward a comprehensive partnership. Member of ASEAN since 1997, chaired ASEAN in 2024. | Land bridge between Northeast India and Southeast Asia, cultural partner sharing Ramayana and Buddhist heritage, platform for Mekong Ganga Cooperation and Quick Impact Projects. |
For India, Vietnam offers depth in defence, trade and maritime security, while Laos offers breadth in cultural diplomacy and grassroots development. Together they anchor India’s presence on both the eastern seaboard and the Mekong heartland, reinforcing that the Act East Policy is not limited to large economies but also nurtures smaller partners with shared civilisational roots.
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam and Quick Impact Projects: Two Pillars of Soft Power
Two instruments featured prominently during the tour illustrate how India projects soft power without large infrastructure.
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam turns a global concern, climate and green cover, into a personal act of gratitude. Because anyone can plant and dedicate a tree, it travels easily across borders to places like a pagoda in Hanoi or a parliament complex in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Prime Minister Modi planted a sapling in December 2025. The use of an app launched by the Union Minister for Communications and DoNER, Jyotiraditya Scindia, allows tracking with photos and location tags, giving the campaign a digital backbone that appeals to younger participants.
Quick Impact Projects work in the opposite way, highly local, low cost and fast to complete. Each QIP typically receives $50,000 from India and is chosen by the host government, often for heritage restoration, small irrigation, education or health infrastructure. Previous QIPs in Laos have included the Bodhi Tree garden improvement at Phou Si, the Ramayana Theatre and shadow puppetry support. These projects create visible goodwill at the community level and complement larger efforts like the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project linking Kolkata to Sittwe in Myanmar, the India Myanmar Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Agartala Akhaura Rail Link to Bangladesh, which address long term connectivity under Act East.
Together the two approaches allow India to be present both as a steward of the global commons and as a neighbour attentive to local needs.
The Way Forward
The MEA noted that the visit further strengthened bilateral partnerships under the Act East Policy and reaffirmed commitment to ASEAN centrality and AOIP. For Vietnam the follow up will centre on delivering the goals set in the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including moving from defence assistance to co development and co production, expanding trade toward the $25 billion target, and deepening cooperation in maritime security, digital and capacity building through ITEC. For Laos the anniversary year offers a window to formalise the shift from development partnership to comprehensive partnership, with heritage conservation, arts education, nutrition security through the India UN Development Partnership Fund, and expanded QIPs as tangible steps.
On both tracks the challenge will be to translate cultural symbolism, such as a sapling at Phap Van Pagoda or a restored mural at Wat Pa Khae, into sustained economic and institutional linkages that connect Northeast India with mainland Southeast Asia.
Key Takeaways
- Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles Pabitra Margherita visited Vietnam and Laos from 26 to 29 August 2026 under India’s Act East Policy, reaffirming support for ASEAN centrality and AOIP.
- In Hanoi he planted a sapling at Phap Van Pagoda under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, which was launched on 5 June 2024 at Buddha Jayanti Park, Delhi.
- He met Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Senior Lieutenant General Le Tan Toi in Vietnam and delivered a keynote at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, reviewing ties after General Secretary To Lam’s state visit in May 2026.
- India and Vietnam share an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since May 2026, with earlier upgrades in 2007 and 2016, and bilateral trade of about $18 billion in 2025-2026 targeting $25 billion by 2030.
- The Laos visit marked 70 years of India Laos ties since 1956, with a keynote at the India and Lao PDR at 70 seminar in Vientiane and meetings with Deputy Prime Ministers Thongsavanh Phomvihane and Khamlieng Outhakaysone.
- In Laos he launched preservation of the Phlak Phlam or Phra Lak Phra Ram dance, support for the National Arts College, and witnessed the MoU for Conservation and Restoration of Murals at Wat Pa Khae Temple in Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage City, under a Quick Impact Project.
