The 4th Joint Commission Meeting was held during 23-24th July 2002 in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by H.E. Shri Digvijay Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs of the Republic of India, and the Lao delegation by H.E. Mr. Phongsavath Boupha, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Lao PDR. The JCM discussed the entire range of Indo-Lao interaction in the economic, commercial, scientific, technological and environmental fields and Indian investment in Laos. The Joint Commission Meeting reviewed cooperation with a view to consolidate the relationship in all facets including political, economic and cultural. It was agreed to extend the validity of the Work Plan for Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture signed between India and the Lao PDR for another 2 years till 2004. The Work Plan would continue to provide for an exchange of scientists and experts and consultancy services in the management of large irrigation projects. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the utilisation of Government of India credit of US$ 2 million to the Lao PDR, and an additional soft loan of US$ 5 million from Government of India to be utilised for upgrading the irrigation management system was considered during the JCM (later enhanced to US$ 10 million, for the construction of a transmission line). On cooperation in trade, the two sides agreed to expand and increase the bilateral trade turn over and the Indian side expressed interest in import of items such as timber, phosphates, rough gem stones and in exporting items such as capital goods, agricultural implements, telecom equipment, dairy and food processing equipment and pharmaceuticals. The Indian side also offered to extend engineering consultancy services on a turnkey basis for establishment of projects. The two sides also agreed to explore the possibility of cooperation for setting up textile and cement plants in the Lao PDR. Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) have expressed interest in participating in an inland container depot project proposed to be set up in Vientiane as consultant/project manager. The Indian side also offered EXIM credit for purchase of transport equipment and automobiles from India. The Indian side also offered training to Lao personnel in the field of hotel management and tourism development under the overall framework of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation. On the cultural front, both sides agreed to extend the duration of the existing Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) for a further period of two years from 2002-2004, through an exchange of letters. On science and technology, the Indian side offered to share its expertise in remote sensing techniques for use in forestry, urban development and agriculture. The Indian side also reiterated its readiness to set up an information technology centre in Vientiane.

The 5th JCM is to be held in Vientiane at a mutually convenient date shortly.