India's Secretary (East) Saurabh Kumar visited Phnom Penh, Cambodia as part of a three-nation tour to the region

India on Monday reaffirmed support for Cambodia’s successful Chairmanship of ASEAN this year.

On April 10-11, as part of his three-nation tour to the region, India’s Secretary (East), Saurabh Kumar visited Phnom Penh, Cambodia, said a statement of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

On Monday, Kumar held bilateral talks with his Cambodian counterpart, Koy Kuong, Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, Kingdom of Cambodia, it informed.

Secretary (East) reaffirmed India’s support for Cambodia’s successful Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2022, the statement noted.

He appreciated the role played by Cambodia including that by Deputy PM and FM Prak Sokhonn as the Special Envoy of ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, it stated.

Both sides had comprehensive discussions on bilateral cooperation in diverse areas including political, economic, commercial, trade and investments, defence and security, development partnership, connectivity, capacity building and cultural cooperation, physical and digital connectivity, etc, the statement informed.

They appreciated the close cooperation between India and Cambodia and agreed to further deepen the bilateral relations, particularly in areas such as defence and security, health, connectivity – digital and physical infrastructure, capacity building and development cooperation, it further said.

Both sides decided to celebrate 70th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between India and Cambodia, and to commemorate the India-ASEAN Friendship Year marking the 30th anniversary of dialogue relations between India and ASEAN this year, the statement added.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, it mentioned.

The talks were held in a friendly atmosphere, the statement said. Both sides agreed to hold the next round of discussions at a mutually convenient date, it maintained.