Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari has said India is actively and consciously building political, economic and trade linkages, besides retaining and reviving cultural linkages, with the countries of South East Asia as part of its Act East Policy. He said, New Delhi regards the ASEAN grouping and in fact the whole of South East Asia as an active part of that endeavour.<br/><br/>The Vice President was given a ceremonial welcome by the Indian Ambassador Ravi Shankar Aisola at Vientiane in Laos, Thursday evening. Addressing the Indian Diaspora on the occasion, Mr Ansari said the Indian economy is doing well and Indian private sector assisted by liberalisation and government policies is now looking outward.<br/><br/>Today, the Vice President was given the Guard of Honour at the Presidential Palace. He also had a meeting with the Vice President Dounyang Vorachith. India and Lao PDR also had delegation level talks this morning in which the two sides exchanged views on issues of mutual cooperation. Union Minister of State for Water Resources Sanwar Lal Jat was also part if the Indian delegation at the talks.<br/><br/>The two MoUs will be signed between India and Lao later today. One is on Air Services with Lao and another on Quick Impact Project under the Mekong Ganga Cooperation, sources said.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>

Vice President Md. Hamid Ansari today said India is actively and consciously building political, economic and trade linkages, besides retaining and reviving cultural linkages, with the countries of South East Asia as part of its Act East Policy. He said New Delhi regards the ASEAN grouping and in fact the whole of South East Asia as an active part of that endeavor. <br/><br/>The Vice President was given a ceremonial welcome by the Indian Ambassador Ravi Shankar Aisola this evening. Addressing the Indian Diaspora on the occasion Mr. Ansari said one phase of post-independent India's approach to the outside world, that is building up relationships of friendship and good political relations is over. India today is looking at the world of tomorrow, which is going to be the world of trade, investment and technology, he said. <br/><br/>The Indian delegation led by Vice President Md. Hamid Ansari arrived Vientiane, the capital of Lao DPR this afternoon for a two day visit. Tomorrow, two MoUs will be signed between India and Laos. One is on Air Services with Laos and another on Quick Impact Project under the Mekong Ganga Cooperation, sources said.