As part of celebrations to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Cambodia in 2022 and also to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of India-ASEAN dialogue relations, H.E. Dr. RajKumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs, Government of India, visited Cambodia from 20 to 22 June 2022.
On his arrival in Cambodia on 20th June 2022, H. E. Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs, and H. E. Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women’s Affairs, Kingdom of Cambodia, inaugurated two school buildings for children studying Grade 1 to 3 and Grade 4 to 6 at Kambol Primary School, Phnom Penh.
The event was also graced by H. E. Dr. Devyani Khobragade, Ambassador of India to Cambodia besides the Principal, teachers, school children, parents, and media personnel. The school buildings were constructed with the grant assistance provided by the Government of India under its Quick Impact Project (QIP) scheme under the framework of the Mekong Ganga Cooperation Initiative. With the completion of these two buildings, out of 46 QIPs approved by the Government of India, 23 projects (Including these 2 projects) have been completed and 23 other projects are at various stages of execution.
During his stay in the Siem Reap area from 20th to 21st June 2022, the Hon’ble Minister participated in the 8th International Day of Yoga celebrations held on 21st June, at Elephant Terrace in Angkor Park, Siem Reap. Other prominent dignitaries present at the event were senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture & Fine Art, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, APSARA Authority, and Siem Reap Governor’s office.
More than 500 people from all walks of the society participated in the event which included high dignitaries from the local Government, volunteers from the Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia (UYFC), children from various schools and colleges, and members of the Indian community, and yoga enthusiasts. Cambodia was chosen as one of the countries to participate in the “Global Yoga Ring”, the program of which was telecast live across the world along with some other selected countries.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Singh mentioned the importance of Yoga and also highlighted the transformation Yoga can bring in one’s life, especially during the challenging pandemic times. He stressed the relevance of yoga in today’s busy lives and also touched upon the benefits of Yoga and Ayurveda.
He also dwelt at length about the civilizational and close cultural, and linguistic links between the two countries. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to enhance engagement at every level and forge closer people-to-people relations to deepen understanding and friendship between the two countries. He also touched upon the various development cooperation projects underway in Cambodia with Indian assistance covering education, infrastructure development, restoration of temples and capacity building, etc. Ambassador H.E. Dr. Devyani Khobragade in her concluding remarks thanked various Ministries and Departments of the Royal Government of Cambodia, the Provincial Government of Siem Reap for their cooperation, and all the sponsors, who were instrumental in celebrating the event in a big way. The program concluded with light Indian refreshments for the participants.
During his stay in Siem Reap, the Hon’ble Minister visited the world-renowned Angkor Wat temple (Restored by India from 1986-1993) and Ta Prohm Temple (India completed 2 phases of restoration and the third phase, which started in 2016, is expected to complete in 2026) to review the restoration and preservation work, being undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
On 21st June, H. E. Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Hon’ble Minister, along with Senior Minister and Vice Chairman of Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), H.E. Mr. Ly Thutch, witnessed the signing ceremony of an MoU for a Project on Development of Mine-free villages in Koh Kong Province, held at Hotel Hyatt Regency, Phnom Penh. The MoU was signed by H. E. Mr. Suy Chiheang, Deputy Secretary-General, Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), and H.E. Dr. Devyani Khobragade, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Cambodia. This project is also being undertaken by the Government of India under its Quick Impact Project (QIP) Scheme under the framework of the Mekong Ganga Cooperation.
On the evening of 21st June 2022, as part of the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, a joint logo was inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and H.E. Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs. The inauguration was followed by a reception, which was attended by several dignitaries, including Senior Ministers, Ministers, and senior officials from various Ministries and Departments of the Royal Government of Cambodia, members of the diplomatic corps, high dignitaries, and media personnel.
DPM and the Minister of State for External Affairs recalled the age-old civilizational and cultural links between the two countries and the scope for expanding the contemporary relationship into new areas of cooperation. Both countries share a common desire for peace and tranquility which would be beneficial to mankind. Both leaders reaffirmed that both countries can do much more in areas of cooperation to promote trade, investment, connectivity, tourism, and people-to-people exchange and to further strengthen strategic and security cooperation. The close ties between two countries can be influential in tackling global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
Such high-level visits to commemorate the special events are expected to enhance exchanges between the two countries and give further impetus to the bilateral relations.
Photo by: Supplied
