Embassy of India

Phnom Penh

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PRESS RELEASE

E. Dr. Devyani Khobragade, Ambassador of India to Cambodia had met H.E. Mr. Sun Chanthol, Senior Minister of Public Works and Transport on 9^th June, 2021.

          Ambassador Khobragade recalled the close civilzational and cultural linkages between the two countries and commended Cambodia’s efforts proactive national measures in handling the COVID-19 pandemic situation and steps being taken to take care of the vulnerable sections of the society, who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Dr. Khobragade informed the Hon’ble Minister that the number of COVID-19 infections in India has come down from more than 400,000 cases per day in early-May to around 90,000 cases per day now. Vaccination drive in India is in full swing and India expects to inoculate around 80% of its population by December 2021.  She also briefed the Hon’ble Minister on various projects/programmes being undertaken by Government of India in Cambodia, including 10 Quick Impact Projects every year targeting the people at grassroot level in the fields of infrastructure, tourism, education, sanitation, health, IT, women empowerment, etc., capacity building under India’s Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, restoration and conservation of Angkor Wat in 1980s and the ongoing restoration and conservation work at Ta Prohm Temple in Siem Reap and Preah Vihear Temple (ancient Lord Shiva Temple) in Preah Vihear, etc.

          On other substantive issues, Ambassador Khobragade briefed the Senior Minister about the availability of USD 1 billion LoC offered by India to all ASEAN countries for physical and digital connectivity projects  and requested the Hon’ble Minister to look into the possibility of undertaking some physical connectivity projects utilising the available LoC, including projects falling under eastward extension of India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway into Cambodia from Laos and further connecting Vietnam and Thailand.  In this context, Ambassador Khobragade informed about a road project [Luang Namtha-Muang Singh junction-Friendship Bridge across Mekong River] that is under consideration from Laos utilising the soft loan from USD 1 billion.  H.E. Chanthol while noting that physical connectivity is not only important for economic growth and people-to-people exchanges but also enhance trade between India and Cambodia, welcomed the suggestion and instructed his officials to identify infrastructure projects of considerable importance with the LoC of USD 1 billion available for connectivity projects.  Both sides noted that since 2022 marks the 30^th Anniversary of ASEAN-India Sectoral Partnership, 25^th Anniversary of the Dialogue Partnership, 10^th Anniversary of Summit-level Partnership and 10 years of Strategic Partnership, which coincide with the ASEAN Chairmanship of Cambodia, suitable projects under ASEAN LoC and ASEAN-India Fund could be announced during the leaders’ Summit meeting.    

          The Hon’ble Minister expressed his desire to undertake projects under Quick Impact Project Scheme in refurbishing 11 healthcare centres in Kandal province.  He also instructed his officials to look into the possibility of organising customised training courses for Engineering students and also training on leadership qualities to Ministry’s officials under India’s ITEC programme.

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