15, November 2025

Interdependence Ethics and Bilateral Relations: Buddhist Relational Ontology in India-Laos Infrastructure Cooperation

VOLUME-11; ISSUE-11; NOV-2025

Author(s): 1. Himanshu Rai, 2. Prof Rahil Satyanidhar

Authors Affiliations:

1Research Scholar, Department of Political Science, Jiwaji University,  Gwalior, India

2Professor, Department of Political Science , Govt. Bhagwat Sahay College ,Jiwaji University,  Gwalior

DOIs:10.2015/IJIRMF/202511007     |     Paper ID: IJIRMF202511007


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This study explores how India-Laos bilateral relations, specifically in infrastructure collaboration, are informed by Buddhist relational ontology, which emphasizes interconnectedness, compassion, and ethical co-arising. The study makes the case that India's involvement with Laos reflects a profound civilizational ethic built on shared Buddhist heritage rather than just geopolitical or economic interests, using an interpretive lens based on Buddhist philosophy. As examples of a diplomatic ethic infused with Buddhism, the study looks at landmark projects including the restoration of Buddhist monuments in Laos, infrastructure development under India's Lines of Credit, and capacity-building programs. The study offers a novel framework for examining foreign policy that goes beyond realist paradigms and presents ethical co-existence as a workable option in international cooperation, drawing on interdependence theory and Buddhist metaphysics. This viewpoint is becoming more and more pertinent in a world looking for moral substitutes for transactional international politics.

Buddhist diplomacy, relational ontology, India-Laos relations, interdependence ethics, soft power, infrastructure cooperation

Himanshu Rai, Prof Rahil Satyanidhar (2025);  Interdependence ethics and bilateral relations: Buddhist relational ontology in India-Laos infrastructure cooperation, International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, ISSN(O): 2455-0620, Vol-11, Issue-11, Pp.34-36.         Available on –   https://www.ijirmf.com/

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