Phnom Penh: A Royal Audience was graciously granted by Samdech Preah Mahaksatrey Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, the Queen-Mother of Cambodia, to H.E Dr. Devyani Khobragade, Ambassador of India, at the Royal Palace on the 22nd February 2021.
The Queen Mother, while welcoming the Ambassador, congratulated her on her appointment as the Indian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia. Samdech Preah Mahaksatrey Norodom Monineath Sihanouk recalled the close relationship between the former King and H.E Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. She also recalled her visit to India in the 1960s, especially to Mumbai and Chennai.
Her Majesty Queen Mother expressed happiness at the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries in the present time, and thanked India for its support across all fields of bilateral engagement, especially in the restoration of Cambodia’s ancient temples.
Ambassador Devyani Khobragade expressed her thankfulness to Her Majesty Queen Mother Norodom Monineath for the warm welcome and solicited her blessings for her Diplomatic mission in Cambodia. Ambassador briefed the Queen Mother on the work being done by the Embassy in various fields and stated that during her assignment in Cambodia, she will endeavor to take the already strong bilateral relationship between the two countries to new heights.
Queen Mother graciously gifted the Ambassador several books, music, and film, including her own biography. Ambassador Khobragade presented an Indian painting from the State of Orissa to the Queen Mother. The Ambassador also extended an invitation to Queen Mother to pay another visit to India, if her health permits.
Source: India in Cambodia (Embassy of India, Phnom Penh)
