U.S. Indo-Pacific Command hosts the 17th Iteration of the U.S. Laos Bilateral Defense Dialogue

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan McLearnon | U.S. Air Force Col. Andrew DuBois, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Director Southeast Asia Policy and Engagements, left, and Brigadier General Vongxay Inthakham, Director General of Laos’s Foreign Relations Department, sign a joint vision statement during the U.S.-Laos Bilateral Defense Dialogue at USINDOPACOM headquarters on Camp H. M. Smith in Hawaii, April 1, 2026. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression, and when necessary, prevailing in conflict. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan D. McLearnon)  

CAMP H.M. SMITH, HAWAII, UNITED STATES

04.01.2026

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan McLearnon 

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command         

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command welcomed members of Laos’s Ministry of National Defense at the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command headquarters for the U.S.-Laos Bilateral Defense Dialogue, March 31- April 1, 2026.

This event marks the 17th iteration of the U.S.-Laos Bilateral Dialogue, marking a significant commitment to an enduring U.S.-Laos relationship. The leaders received briefings on U.S. military medicine, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

During the dialogue, U.S. Air Force Col. Andrew DuBois, USINDOPACOM Director Southeast Asia Policy and Engagements, Brigadier General Vongxay Inthakham, Director General of Laos’s Foreign Relations Department, signed a joint vision statement to formalize the successful completion of the 17th iteration of the U.S.-Laos Bilateral Defense Dialogue.

The bilateral dialogue underscores the importance of the U.S.-Laos relationship, rooted in shared commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Both sides remain dedicated to strengthening their military partnership and promoting interoperability to address evolving regional challenges.

This dialogue continued the momentum from Adm. Paparo’s meeting with Laos Deputy Minister of Defense Senior Lt. Gen. Khamliang Outhakaysone at the Vietnam Defense Expo in Hanoi on December 19, 2024. During the visit they discussed military cooperation and exchanges on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; demining and removal of unexploded ordnance; and professional military education and training.

The continued engagements between USINDOPACOM and Laos’s Ministry of National Defense reflects the enduring strength of the U.S.-Laos partnership aimed at deepening cooperation in specific defense, security, and humanitarian areas.

USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression, and when necessary, prevailing in conflict.

• Date Taken: 04.01.2026
• Date Posted: 04.02.2026 19:24
• Story ID: 561898
• Location: CAMP H.M. SMITH, HAWAII, US