PM calls on Cambodia King, discusses ways to boost ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called on Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni and assured him “of India’s resolve to strengthen the bilateral partnership across diverse areas, including capacity building”.
During the meeting in which defence ties were also discussed, the Cambodian King thanked Mr Modi “for India’s ongoing initiatives in development cooperation”, and also “conveyed his appreciation and best wishes for India’s Presidency of G20”, New Delhi said in a statement.
The “deep civilisational ties, strong cultural and people-to-people connect between both countries” was underscored at the meeting. King Sihamoni is on a three-day visit to India that began earlier on Monday. “It was a pleasure to interact with His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia today. We had a positive exchange of views on our close cultural and people to people ties and development partnership,” Mr Modi tweeted.
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, PM @narendramodi held a warm meeting with King Norodom Sihamoni. Reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to advance IndiaCambodia partnership in domains of capacity building, human resource development, tourism, culture and defence. Also exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues.”
King Sihamoni also met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and “held productive talks”. The “agenda covered furthered the cultural and civilisational connect between India and Cambodia” and also discussed were “ways to enhance development cooperation and people to people ties”.
In what is being seen as a bid to tackle the strong Chinese influence on the south-east Asian nation, India is taking multiple measures to strengthen its ties with the ASEAN nation. New Delhi is strengthening defence and trade ties with Cambodia and also focusing on the development assistance to that nation.
The MEA’s secretary (East) Saurabh Kumar had last week told reporters that India has offered a $50 million defence line of credit to Cambodia. The strengthening of defence ties include training courses for the Cambodian armed forces and also training in de-mining.