PRESS RELEASE

AGREEMENT ON USD 1.5 MILLION GRANT ASSISTANCE

FOR DEMINING EQUIPMENT BY INDIA

1. An Agreement on the provision of US$ 1.5 million Grant assistance by the Government of India to Royal Cambodian Armed Forces for procurement of Demining Equipment was signed on 10 Aug 2020. In an impressive signing ceremony presided over by HE Samdech Pichey Sena Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence at the Friendship Building, the Indian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia Ms Manika Jain and Gen Neang Phat, Permanent Secretary of State, Ministry of National Defence signed the Agreement on behalf of their respective Governments.

2. Bilateral Defence Cooperation between both countries are deepening in recent times. During the visit of Defence Minister of India to the Kingdom of Cambodia in Jun 2018, several new initiatives to enhance defence cooperation were initiated. The bilateral defence engagements include training of personnel, exchange of experts, cooperation in UN Peace keeping operations, exchange of experts / assistance in Demining operations and regular ship visits.

3. Assistance in Demining continues to be key cooperation area. It may be recalled that India had provided 15 Mine Detection Dogs to Royal Cambodian Armed Forces in Dec 2016. The present grant assistance of US$ 1.5 million from Government of India is likely to considerably boost the demining capabilities of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.

4. H.E Samdech Pichey Sena Tea Banh, Deputy PM and Minister of National Defence thanked the Indian Government for the assistance. Ms Manika Jain, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Cambodia stated that Defence Cooperation between both countries is strengthening and efforts are underway to enhance the scope and intensity of engagements in future.