Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Modi likely to secure a solution to Ukraine: PM

Modi likely to secure a solution to Ukraine: PM

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Prime Minister Hun Sen during his virtual meeting with his Indian Narendra Modi on May 19. SPM

Modi likely to secure a solution to Ukraine: PM

Prime Minister Hun Sen has expressed confidence that his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi will successfully negotiate a solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, after Modi met separately with the Russian and Ukrainian presidents to discuss the fighting.

Hun Sen made his views clear at a virtual meeting with Modi on May 18.

At the meeting, Modi told Hun Sen that he had tried to make a contribution to the dialogue in the hopes of solving the Ukraine conflict, as he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss possible pathways to attaining peace.

According to his social media post after the meeting, Hun Sen believes that India can play an appropriate role in the negotiations between the two sides.

“He [Hun Sen] wanted to see a solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict as soon as possible, as it has impacted the world, especially [in terms of] food security and energy in all countries,” said the post.

Thong Mengdavid, a research fellow at the Asian Vision Institute’s Mekong Centre for Strategic Studies, echoed Hun Sen’s views, saying that the war in Ukraine had caused food and energy security issues, and had also negatively impacted the global economy.

He said India was in a good position to negotiate with Russia on de-escalating the fighting in Ukraine given the historically friendly relations between the two countries.

“India is one of Russia’s main military partners as it has bought a lot of weapons from Russia to strengthen its military. Thus, India is also a key player in [encouraging] Russia to think about its economic crisis as well as [that of] the world as a whole,” he said.

Mengdavid believes that India and Cambodia, the latter as the chair of ASEAN, will continue to find a peaceful solution that is a “win-win situation” for the conflicting parties.

He added that resolution to the war in Ukraine also requires the participation of other major powers, such as China, Europe and the US, who would be able to potentially de-escalate tensions and create a conducive environment for “honest” talks between Ukraine and Russia.

Hun Sen said he considered India a key strategic partner, and that India’s “look-east” policy of Southeast Asian cooperation complemented ASEAN’s policy of building stronger relations with India.

His Facebook post quoted Modi as saying that India would provide a $1 billion loan to Cambodia for purposes of agriculture, environment, health, education, women’s rights and rural and cultural development, as part of their mutual participation in Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, which also comprises Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.

The Indian embassy in Phnom Penh said in a press release on May 19 that both leaders exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest and concern.

It said that Modi had “warmly congratulated” Cambodia for assuming the role of ASEAN chair for 2022, and reiterated India’s full support of the Kingdom’s chairmanship.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a press release that Hun Sen invited Modi to attend the ASEAN-India summit and other related summits in Cambodia in November, which he accepted.

This year marks 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • PM to open new Siem Reap int’l airport December 1

    Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese leaders would jointly participate in the official opening of the new Chinese-invested Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport on December 1. The airport symbolises a new page in the history of Cambodian aviation, which will be able to welcome long-distance flights to

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • Minimum wage set at $204, after Sep 28 vote

    The minimum wage for factory workers in the garment, footwear and travel goods industries for 2024 has been decided at $204 per month, with the government contributing $2. Following several negotiation sessions, the tripartite talks reached an agreement during a September 28 vote, with 46 of 51 votes supporting the $202 figure.