External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar during his visit to Laos, issued a special commemorative postage stamp set featuring shared cultural legacies of the Ramayana and Buddhism between both nations on Saturday.
The set consists of two stamps featuring Shri Ram of Ayodhya, the sacred city of the deity and portrays Lord Buddha from Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of Laos. The stamp set, launched today, is notable for being the world’s first to depict Shri Ram Lalla of Ayodhya.
In Laos for ASEAN meetings, Jaishankar, alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Lao PDR, Saleumxay Kommasith, unveiled the stamp set.
Buddhism has linked India and Lao PDR for millennia, with the Ramayana, known in Laos as Ramakien or the Story of Phra Lak Phra Ram, held in high esteem and performed on significant occasions. The stamp set’s theme is “Celebrating the shared cultural heritage of Lao PDR and India.”
Jaishankar conveyed on social media his appreciation for Kommasith’s hospitality and the launch of a stamp set celebrating the common cultural heritage of the Ramayana and Buddhism.
He also mentioned witnessing the exchange of MoUs on 10 Quick Impact Projects for Laos under the Mekong Ganga Cooperation and collaboration in digital solutions.
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.”
Jaishankar is in Vientiane for a three-day visit to attend the ASEAN-India Post Ministerial Conference, the EAS Foreign Ministers Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum, hosted by Lao PDR as the ASEAN Chair for 2024.
