The Buddha, Amitabh Bachchan, Jawaharlal Nehru - this is the trinity of famous Indians that people in this quaintly picturesque capital of Laos are in love with. 

Although there are not more than 300 Indians in the Laotian capital, the imprint of Indian culture is evident in all spheres of life. Be it food or films, the wonder that is India continues to enchant most Laotians. 

A majority of Indian settlers in this city of a little more than half a million people are from Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu and parts of Maharashtra.

Laos is a landlocked country in the Indo-China peninsula bordering China's Yunnan province in the north, Vietnam in the east, Cambodia in the south and Myanmar and Thailand in the south.      

Home to nearly six million people of at least 44 ethnic groups, the country will celebrate in December the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Says Khamkhong Kongvongsa, deputy director general and executive producer of the Lao National Television (LNT): "India and Laos are culturally very similar. Our language is linked with Sanskrit and Pali."

Say 'India' to the simple, unassuming inhabitants of this city and their eyes glow with admiration for what they call 'the land of freedom.'

"India is a free country," chirps the man in a slightly envious tone at the immigration counter at the Vientiane international airport. 

For others, it's the land from where the Buddha came.

"People of India and Laos have a certain chemistry. We worship the Buddha as god," says Kheckeo Soisaya, the vice minister of information and culture.

"Even though Laos and India are very far, the relationship between India and Laos goes a long way. We esteem India's friendship very highly," a benignly smiling minister adds. 

Says Tsewang Topden, the Indian ambassador to Laos, to a group of visiting Indian journalists: "The ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) car rally last November made a huge difference to India's image in this part of the world. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh got a huge reception as he flagged off the rally here."

For yet other Laotians, it is the magic of Bollywood.

"I grew up watching Indian films. Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini are my all-time favourites," says Malayvieng Vongchandy, a woman anchor with LNT.

KPL News, Laos' leading English daily, mourned the passing away of legendary actor Sunil Dutt in emotion-laden words. 

Said Vongchandy: "Nehru has an iconic status here. His books are read by a lot of university graduates."

Added Suresh Iyer, an ex-banker who came to Laos 10 months ago to teach English: "Indians are quite well liked here and treated with respect and affection. I am enjoying my stay here."

Now, Iyer is helping budding journalists at Vientiane Times to hone their English and editing skills.   

Edelbert Miranda, who runs a restaurant called 'Taste of India', loves to wax lyrical about chicken tikka and tandoori that's ticking taste buds of the Lao people here. Agrees Somkiethtisack Kingsada: "We enjoy treating our guests to Indian food on special days."

Above everything else, India's role in empowering and enriching Laos elicits spontaneous praise from both ordinary people and officials.

Kirloskar water pumps, which Laos has imported extensively, have acquired brand status here. More than 500 Lao nationals have benefited from India's ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) and other training programmes. Learning IT in India is the magic key to prosperity for Laotian youth. 

Ever since the India-Laos Cultural Agreement in 1994, Indian dance has been a big draw with the dwellers of this culturally vibrant city. Famous danseuse Geeta Chandran's enchanting performance at the National Cultural Hall in Vientiane is still remembered fondly by people here. 

India's relations with Laos are part of its 'Look East' policy that received fresh impetus in recent years and has resulted in strengthening of relations with ASEAN countries. 

--Indo-Asian News Service