Vientiane (Laos): Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee arrived in Vientiane on November 6 on a two-day visit, becoming the first Indian head of government to visit this South East Asian country in over 45 years.

Vajpayee was given a red carpet welcome as he flew into the Laotian capital from Cambodia after attending the first-ever India-ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) summit.

He was received at the airport by Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Somsavat Lengsavad.

During his stay, Vajpayee would hold bilateral talks with his counterpart Bounnhang Vorachit and would be signing certain agreements, officials said, adding that India is considering extending credit on preferential terms to Laos, a least developed member of the ASEAN.

Jawaharlal Nehru had visited Laos in 1954.

Vajpayee would inaugurate an exhibition of Madhubani paintings besides interacting with the 100-strong Indian community. He would also discuss setting up a textile museum.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had signed an agreement in 1997 with the Lao Defence Ministry for servicing of Veintiane's ageing Russian-made Mig-21 combat planes but it could not be implemented due to economic difficulties on the part of Laos.

Vajpayee would also be visiting Bangkok for a couple of hours on his return journey on November 7 and hold talks with Thai Premier Thaksin Shinawatra on security and economic issues.

PTI