Contract rail: Russia plans to start rail transportation to Laos via China

Due to the growth of bilateral cargo flows to and from Laos, Russia intends to expand sea transportation through the ports of Vietnam and open a railway connection through China. Vladimir Putin announced this on July 31 following talks between the two countries' delegations in the Kremlin. In 2024, the trade turnover increased by 66%, and for almost half a year in 2025 - by another 20%. The head of the republic's Foreign Ministry told Izvestia that in the closed part of the conversation, the parties discussed not only the economy, but also the development of agriculture. It employs about 85% of Laos' population, making it a predominantly agrarian country, experts say. Whether the republic can become an energy giant of Indochina, and where the Russian-Lao school will open — in the Izvestia material.

How are relations between Russia and Laos developing?

Russian-Lao talks were held in the Kremlin on July 31. A delegation from the Asian state arrived in Moscow the day before and will stay here until August 1. The work program of the leadership of Laos in the Russian Federation is quite rich. President Thonglong Sisulit has already spoken with Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, and other members of the delegation have already addressed humanitarian issues. For example, the Deputy Prime Minister of Laos, Salemsay Commasit— a graduate of MGIMO— specially came to the alma mater to present the university with the Order of Friendship of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Before the central point of the visit, the meeting with Vladimir Putin, Thonglong Sisulit laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Soldier in the Alexander Garden. At 2:30 p.m., the Lao leader was already in the Kremlin, where negotiations began in a narrow format: the heads of state warmly greeted each other and exchanged strong hugs. The President of Laos thanked the Russian side for the warm welcome. Vladimir Putin noted that the head of the republic is well acquainted with Russia — he "knows the country very well and is considered a close friend to the Russian Federation." Moreover, part of the one-on-one conversation was held in Russian.

— This visit of mine is a very good evidence that we are celebrating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. I am very glad that I have the opportunity to meet with you many times. Therefore, during this visit we have the opportunity to continue the conversation on the agreements already reached, so we continue to work further," said the head of Laos.

Thonglong Sisulit has repeatedly visited Russia on official visits. In 2024 alone, the leaders met twice - on May 9 in the Kremlin on the occasion of Victory Day celebrations, and then in the fall at the BRICS summit in Kazan. The President of Laos said that he had planned to come to Moscow early for the anniversary celebrations on May 9, but fell ill with coronavirus and watched the broadcast of the parade on Red Square. At the same time, in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory, a parade of the Lao armed forces marched through the main square of Russia. At the talks, the leaders stated that such strong relations between the countries were possible due to a good historical foundation: it was the Soviet Union that helped the Lao people in the struggle for independence, as well as participated in the formation of the economy and the armed forces.

— Our country has contributed in every possible way to the formation of Lao statehood, the improvement of defense capability and the growth of the national economy. With the participation of Soviet specialists, large industrial enterprises, important transport infrastructure facilities, hospitals and educational institutions were built in Laos," Vladimir Putin said.

What Laos gave Russia for the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations

Laos really owes a lot to Russia.: The state itself appeared on the map only in 1954 after the end of the Indochina War. Prior to that, this territory was a protectorate of France, and in 1975 the Socialist Communists came to power, recalled Kirill Kotkov, an orientalist and head of the MAIS Center for the Study of the Far East in St. Petersburg. The country was under the patronage of the USSR until the 90s.

— Since a holy place is never empty, it was occupied by the Chinese. Now Laos owes the Chinese the most "I don't want to." More than half of the country's state budget is owed by the PRC. And it is important for them to develop relations with other countries. Anyway, Laos has always had good relations with us, we don't border, we have nothing to share," he told Izvestia.

As a sign of friendship, the Lao government presented Russia with an unusual gift — two elephants.

— These elephants will live in the zoo in St. Petersburg. I studied there before (at the Leningrad Pedagogical Institute named after Herzen. — Ed.). Well, now, while there are no elephants, if you have agreed, we will continue this topic – how the elephants will be transported here. The elephant is a symbol of our ancient country, the Country of a million elephants. A symbol of peace and prosperity," he suggests.

— They will be useful on the farm. Thank you," Vladimir Putin appreciated.

However, the Leningrad Zoo commented to reporters that it would like to host the animals, but so far the territory does not allow it.

In addition to the head of the republic, several other members of the delegation studied in Russia and know Russian. Vladimir Putin noted that Lao boys and girls traditionally receive education in Russia, and promised to further increase the quota. At the same time, Russian is already widely taught in Laos.

— Russian is taught in a number of educational institutions in the country, including the Lao National University, where Russian teachers work. On the agenda is the construction of a Russian—Lao school in the capital of Laos with a full cycle of education under a joint educational program," Putin said.

What was discussed in the closed part of the negotiations

The Russian president called the talks useful and constructive. In the open part of the meeting, they mainly discussed economic issues, humanitarian support and further prospects for partnership. By the way, the trade turnover increased by 66% in 2024, and by almost 20% this year in January-May. Due to the growth of cargo flows to Laos and from the republic, Russia intends to expand sea transportation through the ports of Vietnam and open a railway link through China, Vladimir Putin told reporters after the talks.

At the same time, the republic demonstrates interest in non-energy applications of nuclear technologies. Russian companies are working on Lao ferrous and non-ferrous metal deposits and are exploring the possibility of developing bauxite deposits. There is interest in cooperation in the fields of medicine, agriculture, and personnel training, Vladimir Putin said. Both the economy and agriculture were discussed in the closed part of the talks, Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavan Phomvihan confirmed to Izvestia.

— Agriculture is an important part of the Lao economy. It has the potential to export agricultural products, including rice and forestry products, as well as mineral resources such as gold. About 85% of the population is engaged in agriculture, which makes Laos a predominantly agrarian country. 90% of arable land is planted with rice, the main agricultural crop," Yulia Ogloblina, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Agrarian Issues, told Izvestia.

In addition, peanuts, cotton, tea, tobacco, corn, sweet potatoes and sugar cane are also grown in the republic. Russia, in turn, may also be interested in developing cooperation in the textile industry, the parliamentarian suggests. Among other topics, the leaders were most likely to discuss the development of hydropower in the closed part.

— Laos is a developing country, and so far it is rather poorly developed. It has no access to the sea. But what could be developed there, including in Russia, is hydropower. Laos has many rivers. They're not very big, but they're almost all mountainous. Accordingly, it is possible to build hydroelectric power plants there. We have repeatedly said that Laos could be turned into an energy giant of Indochina," Kirill Kotkov told Izvestia.

Traditionally, the negotiations resulted in the signing of documents: in the presence of the leaders, memoranda of understanding on cooperation in the field of management and protection of water resources, as well as on mutual understanding between the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos, on cooperation in the field of education were approved. In addition, the parties signed a roadmap on cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of atomic energy for 2025-2026.