Ambassador of India to Cambodia Manika Jain (fifth from left) and Ministry of National Defence secretary of state General Neang Phat pose after the signing ceremony at the Council of Ministers. Indian Embassy
The Indian government provided $1.5 million grant to the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) on Monday for the procurement of demining equipment.
The agreement was signed by Ambassador of India to Cambodia Manika Jain and Ministry of National Defence secretary of state General Neang Phat.
The signing ceremony at the Council of Ministers was presided over by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Tea Banh who thanked India for the grant.
Jain said: “Bilateral defence cooperation between both countries has deepened. During the visit of India’s defence minister in June, 2018, several new initiatives to enhance defence cooperation were initiated.
“The bilateral defence engagements include training of personnel, cooperation in UN peacekeeping operations, exchange of experts and assistance in demining operations and regular ship visits.”
Demining assistance, Jain said, continues to be a key cooperation area, with India providing 15 mine-detection dogs in 2016, while the latest grant will boost demining capabilities.
Jain said defence cooperation between both countries is strengthening and efforts are underway to enhance the scope and intensity of future engagements.
Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute director Kin Phea said India is a democratic country that has consistently maintained good diplomatic relations with Cambodia during the People’s Republic of Kampuchea.
Although the two countries have moderate defence cooperation, he said the grant was a gesture from India to Cambodia in light of the Kingdom’s participation and contribution to world peacekeeping efforts.
