Prime Minister Hun Sen and his delegation touched down at Phnom Penh International Airport on Monday after a four-day visit to India where several agreements covering a broad range of issues were signed by the two countries.
During his visit, Hun Sen met with India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Patil, and signed agreements on the transfer of prison inmates, defense cooperation and Cambodia’s line of credit with India, Foreign Affairs Minister Hor Namhong said during a press conference at the airport.
The two countries also signed memoranda of understanding on foreign office consultations, water resources management, agriculture management, and cooperation between the National Petroleum Authority of Cambodia and the Oil and Natural Gas Commission of India, he said.
India agreed to extend $35.2 million in credit to Cambodia, which will be used for financing three projects: $15 million will go towards a dam project on the Stung Tasal river in Kompong Speu province, $15 million to construct a power transmission line between Kratie and Stung Treng provinces and $5.2 million to purchase water pumps, Hor Namhong said.
Hor Namhong did not provide as many specifics while explaining the other agreements that were signed, but emphasized that on all issues Cambodia stands to benefit from India’s experience.
Of a defense agreement, Hor Namhong said that Cambodia decided to boost military cooperation with India “because India’s army is strong.”
“They have modern equipment, so that’s why they will be able to help train our defense units with their experience,” he said, but did not elaborate.
Indian Ambassador to Cambodia Aloke Sen, who was also at the airport, declined to comment on the military agreement.
(Additional reporting by James Welsh)
