| Country |
Formal Relations Began |
Notes |
 Brunei | |
|
 Cambodia | |
|
 China | |
Relations with the People's Republic of China have improved over the years. Although the two were allies during the Vietnam War, the Sino-Vietnamese War in 1979 led to a sharp deterioration in Sino-Lao relations. These relations began to improve in the late 1980s. In 1989 Sino-Lao relations were normalized. In 2017 China invested in Laos under its Belt and Road Initiative.[7]
|
 France | |
Following its occupation of Vietnam, France absorbed Laos into French Indochina via treaties with Siam in 1893 and 1904. During World War II, the Japanese occupied French Indochina. When Japan surrendered, Lao nationalists declared Laos independent, but by early 1946, French troops had reoccupied the country and conferred limited autonomy on Laos. During the First Indochina War, the Indochinese Communist Party formed the Pathet Lao resistance organization committed to Lao independence. Laos gained full independence following the French defeat by the Vietnamese communists and the subsequent Geneva peace conference in 1954.
- France has an embassy in Vientiane.
- Laos has an embassy in Paris.
|
 Germany |
|
- Germany has an embassy in Vientiane.
- Laos has an embassy in Berlin.
|
 India |
|
- India has an embassy in Vientiane.
- Laos has an embassy in New Delhi.
|
 Indonesia | 1957 |
Since established diplomatic relations on 1957, both nations enjoy cordial relations. Indonesia supported and welcomed Laos membership to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1997. Laos and Indonesia agreed to enhance relations to focus on exploring the potential of both nations to cooperate on trade and investment. The two nations expressed a desire to reach further agreements relating to security, tourism, sport, air transport and education.[8] Indonesia through bilateral cooperation assists Laos on capacity building and development in various sectors, through scholarships, and trainings for Laos students.[9]
- Indonesia has an embassy in Vientiane.
- Laos has an embassy in Jakarta.
|
 Israel |
|
|
 Japan | |
- Japan has an embassy in Vientiane.
- Laos has an embassy in Tokyo.
|
 Malaysia | |
During the collapse of the Communist Bloc, the Soviet Union could no longer afford aid for the development of Laos.[10] This made Laos seek aid from other countries to help develop their country and has led the country to adopt a neutral foreign policy.[10] When this policy of neutrality was adopted, relations with Malaysia were established.[10]
- Laos has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
- Malaysia has an embassy in Vientiane.
|
 Mexico | 1976 |
- Laos is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C.[11][12]
- Mexico is accredited to Laos from its embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam.[13]
|
 Myanmar | |
- Laos has an embassy in Yangon.
- Myanmar has an embassy in Vientiane.
|
 Pakistan | |
- Pakistan is accredited to Laos from its embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.
|
 Philippines | |
Formal relations between Laos and the Philippines were officially established on 14 January 1955. Relations between the two countries were said to have started during the early period of the Vietnam War. Operation Brotherhood, a joint international venture by Jaycees International, sent 50 volunteer Filipino doctors, agriculturists, and nutritionists to Laos and Vietnam from 1957 to 1964. Laos has an embassy in Manila while the Philippines has an embassy in Vientiane.
Lao Prime Ministers Bounnhang Vorachith, Bouasone Bouphavanh and Thongsing Thammavong made their state visit to the Philippines in 2002, June 2007 and May 2012 respectively. Philippine Presidents Fidel V. Ramos visited Laos in October 1997. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited Laos in November 2004 for the ASEAN summit and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III visited Laos in November 2012 for the Asia-Europe Meeting Summit.
There are about 730 Filipinos in Laos as of 2013, mostly working as professionals as teachers, nurses, engineers, hotel employees and consultants. Filipinos are often offered lower fares on riding tuktuks compared to other foreigners. Filipinos are one of the biggest contributors to Laos' English programs due to the English fluency possessed by most Filipinos.
- Laos has an embassy in Manila.
- Philippines has an embassy in Vientiane.
|
 Russia | |
|
 Serbia | 1962 |
Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 1962.[16]
- Serbia is accredited to Laos from its embassy in Yangon, Myanmar.
|
 South Korea | |
- Ko-Laoholdings is South Korean company in Laos which is currently the largest private enterprise.[17] and Establishment of Diplomatic Relations : Jun.22, 1974 / Severance - Jul.24, 1975 / Reestablishment - Oct.25, 1995.[18]
- Laos has an embassy in Seoul.
- South Korea has an embassy in Vientiane.
|
 Thailand | |
Thai-Lao relations were strained somewhat in 2006 ahead of the release of the sports comedy Lucky Loser, which Lao diplomats warned might offend Lao people and spark disturbances similar to the 2003 Phnom Penh riots. The film's release was cancelled.
Thailand is Laos' principal means of access to the sea and its primary trading partner. Despite strong economic and cultural ties with Thailand, parts of the border shared by the two countries are indefinite. Within a year of serious border clashes in 1987, Lao and Thai leaders signed a communiqué, signaling their intention to improve relations. Since then, they have made slow but steady progress, notably the construction and opening of the Friendship Bridge between the two countries.
- Laos has an embassy in Bangkok and a consulate-general in Khon Kaen.
- Thailand has an embassy in Vientiane and a consulate-general in Savannakhet.
|
 Turkey | 1958[19] |
- The Embassy of Laos in Vienna is accredited to Turkey.[19]
- Turkey has an embassy in Vientiane.[19]
- Trade volume between the two countries was US$2.86 billion in 2018 (Laos' exports/imports: 1.48/1.44 billion USD).[20]
|
 United Kingdom | 1955 |
Laos established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 5 September 1955.[21]
- Laos maintains an embassy in London.[22]
- The UK is accredited to Laos through its embassy in Vientiane.[23]
Both countries share common membership of the United Nations, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have an Investment Agreement.[24] |
 United States | |
Laos-United States relations officially began when the United States opened a legation in Laos in 1950, when Laos was a semi-autonomous state within French Indochina. These relations were maintained after Laotian independence in 1954.
Between 1964-1973, the United States began bombing Laos in an effort to remove the Pathet Lao from power, despite the fact Laos had been neutral during the Vietnam War. This bombing led to Laos becoming the most bombed country on earth;[25] hence why there have been large efforts to remove unexploded mines and bombs from the country.
The U.S. government provided more than $13.4 million in foreign assistance to Laos in FY 2006, in areas including unexploded ordnance clearance and removal, health and avian influenza, education, economic development, and governance.
In December 2004, George W. Bush signed into law a bill extending normal trade relations to Laos. In February 2005, a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) between the two countries entered into force. There has been a consequent rise in Lao exports to the United States, although the volume of trade remains small in absolute terms. Bilateral trade reached $15.7 million in 2006, compared with $8.9 million in 2003. The Lao Government is working to implement the provisions of the BTA and on 2 February 2013 joined the World Trade Organization.
|
 Vietnam | |
Although Vietnam's historical record of leadership over the Pathet Lao during the civil war and its military power and proximity will not cease to exist, Laos struck out ahead of Vietnam with its New Economic Mechanism to introduce market mechanisms into its economy. In so doing, Laos has opened the door to rapprochement with Thailand and China at some expense to its special dependence on Vietnam.[26]
Laos might have reached the same point of normalization in following Vietnam's economic and diplomatic change, but by moving ahead resolutely and responding to Thai and Chinese gestures, Laos has broadened its range of donors, trading partners, and investors independent of Vietnam's attempts to accomplish the same goal. Thus, Vietnam remains in the shadows as a mentor and emergency ally, and the tutelage of Laos has shifted dramatically to development banks and international entrepreneurs.[26]
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