India supports UXO training to Lao Peoples Army

(KPL) The Indian Defence Forces has supported a short-term of the Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Cooperation Intensive training course to the Lao Peoples Army.

The purpose of the training course was to upgrade knowledge and skills of Lao Peoples Army personnel who are involved in the task of detection, clearance and destruction of UXOs which is a remnant of the war in the Lao PDR.

This will greatly help the Lao people to minimise and subsequently eradicate the risks and dangers of UXOs.
Over thirty Lao militaries from the Ministry of National Defence have attended a three-week training course held yesterday at the 588 Engineering Battalion, Vientiane Capital.

At the opening ceremony, B.G Souvone Leuangbounmy expressed his appreciation and thanks to the government of India as well as the Indian Defence Forces which have always continued to support and assists the Lao PDR by providing materials and moral support since the day our two countries established the diplomatic ties on 2 February 1956.

Indian ambassador to the Lao PDR, Dr. Jitendra Nath Misra said that this is one of the events marking the celebration of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Laos.

I am very particularly happy that our training team led by Captain Dhiraj Kumar has arrived here so early in the year of the 55th anniversary. I would like extend a very warm welcome to Captain Kumar and his team. Our five instructors have a proven capability and wide ranging operational experience in this field, said Dr. Misra.

We all know that the Lao PDR is the worst sufferer in the world from UXOs, and the deadly legacy of UXOs is being felt in Laos even today, with continuing loss of lives, he went on.

More broadly, we are fully supportive of the humanitarian concerns assisting from UXOs, and are willing to assist the Lao government in clearance of explosive remnant of war and mines in a bilateral context, said Dr. Misra.

Indian Defence Attache to the Lao PDR, Colonel S Mohan and relevant officials from both sided attended the opening ceremony.

Since 1995, the Indian Defence Forces have sent the Indian Army Training Team to teach English, military tactics and computer skills to the Lao Peoples Army and also provided scholarships to Lao militaries to train and study in Indian.