India, Laos Jointly Release World's First Stamp Depciting Ayodhya's Ram Lalla

Vientiane: India and Laos jointly released a special commemorative postage stamp set featuring Ram Lalla of Ayodhya in the presence of External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, making it the world's first such stamp.

Jaishankar, who is in Laos for ASEAN mechanism meetings on a three-day visit, on Saturday took to X to post that he along with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Lao PDR, Saleumxay Kommasith launched the special postage stamp set.

The two leaders launched the special stamp set celebrating the shared cultural treasures of Ramayana and Buddhism.

Jaishankar posted on X, “A good meeting with DPM and FM Saleumxay Kommasith of Lao PDR. Thanked him for the warm hospitality. Witnessed exchange of MoUs on 10 Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) for Laos under Mekong Ganga Cooperation and cooperation in sharing successful Digital Solutions. Launched a special stamp set celebrating our shared cultural treasures of Ramayana and Buddhism.”

In a series of posts on X, the EAM said that he had called on the Prime Minister of Laos and during their meeting he had taken up the issue of the trafficking of Indian nationals through cyber scam centres.

"During my call on the Prime Minister of Lao PDR, took up the issue of the trafficking of Indian nationals through cyber scam centers. Appreciate the ongoing cooperation of Lao PDR government in the rescue and relief of our citizens. Also discussed the matter with the Foreign Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand," Jaishankar tweeted.

Jaishankar on Saturday held a meeting with his Laotian counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith during which they witnessed the exchange of MoUs on 10 Quick Impact Projects for Laos and cooperation in sharing successful digital solutions.

Jaishankar is in the capital of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to participate in the meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

"A good meeting with DPM and FM Saleumxay Kommasith of Lao PDR. Thanked him for the warm hospitality," Jaishankar posted on X.

The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) is an initiative by six countries – India and five ASEAN countries, namely, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam for cooperation in tourism, culture, education, as well as transport and communications.

The four foundational areas of cooperation under MGC include tourism, culture, education, and transport and communication. It has further expanded to include new areas like health and traditional medicine, agriculture and allied sectors, small and medium enterprises, water resources management, science and technology, skill development, and capacity building. 

(with PTI inputs)