Country that gained its independence from France in 1953 (4)

I believe the answer is:

laos

(Other definitions for laos that I've seen before include "Indo-Chinese country" , "Asian country, capital Vientiane" , "Country of Indo-China, capital Vientiane" , "part of Asia" , "South-east Asian republic, capital Vientiane" .)

I've seen this clue in The New York Times.

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