Cambodia and India have discussed the possibility to further boost bilateral collaboration between the two countries, especially the cooperation under frameworks of region and the world.
The discussion took place last week here in Phnom Penh between Vongsey Vissoth, Delegate Minister attached the Prime Minister and Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Indian Ambassador Ms. Devyani Uttam Khobragade, reports Khmer Times.
Vissoth also updated Ms. Devyani on the situation of COVID-19 crisis in Cambodia, stressing that the issue is now under good control by the government. He expected that the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccine from India will happen soon to scale up Cambodia’s vaccination campaign.
In January, Indian Ambassador to Cambodia, Dr Devyani Uttam Khobragade had called for greater cooperation between the parliaments of Cambodia and India during her meeting with National Assembly president Heng Samrin. Dr Devyani also discussed India’s development assistance and investments in Cambodia, including the restoration and conservation of the Preah Vihear temple project, promoting the use of clean water in rural areas and in the health sector on anti-malaria and dengue fever.
She also gave assurance to encourage more Indian businessmen to invest in Cambodia and to promote direct flights between the two countries. The ambassador also informed that India will promote people-to-people digital communication and financial support to the construction of expressways in the Asean region.
Cambodia and India have enjoyed warm and cordial relations since the 1950s. After the collapse of the Khmer Rouge regime, India was the first country to recognise the new government and reopened its embassy in 1981.
Since 2002, India has granted Cambodia over $112 million as concessional loans, including over $63 million or 56.42 percent for water resource development projects in Stung Svahap and Tasal, and for projects of 230kv electricity power construction in Kratie and Stung Treng provinces, pump supply and Western Baray irrigation rehabilitation.
Balaji Subramanian 
Dr. Niranjan B Poojar 
Aayush Pal