New Delhi/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held talks with visiting Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, during which the two sides discussed bilateral ties and ways to advance the partnership in capacity building, tourism, culture and defence among other things.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a tweet said: “Providing a filip to India-Cambodia ties. PM @narendramodi held a warm meeting with H.M. King Norodom Sihamoni."

“Reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to advance India-Cambodia partnership in domains of capacity building, human resource development, tourism, culture and defence. Also exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues.”

Earlier in the day, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar held a bilateral meeting with the Cambodian King during which they held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral relations and other issues of mutual interest.

The Vice President’s Office in a tweet said that the VP also recalled the warm welcome and good discussions during his visit to Cambodia for the India-Asean summit last year.

“Hon’ble Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar met with His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, the King of Cambodia, and recalled the warm welcome and good discussions during his visit to Cambodia for India-ASEAN and East Asia Summits in November 2022. They had wide-ranging discussions on bilateral relations and other issues of mutual interest.”

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a tweet said the discussions covered capacity building, conservation of architectural monuments, defence cooperation including de-mining and parliamentary cooperation

“VP Jagdeep Dhankhar @VPIndia met H.M. King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia during the latter’s State visit to India.

“Discussions covered multiple areas of bilateral relations including capacity building, conservation of architectural monuments, defence cooperation including de-mining & parliamentary cooperation.”

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also called on the Cambodian King earlier in the day.

“Honoured to call on King HM Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia. His visit, as our two countries celebrate the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, reaffirms the strong civilizational bond between us.

“Today that is expressed in cooperation in heritage conservation, demining, water conservation and socio-economic projects.”

India and Cambodia enjoy warm and friendly relations marked by civilisational, cultural and economic linkages and deep-rooted people-to-people ties.

The multifaceted relationship is based on shared cultural values, commitment to foster economic growth, collaboration in the fields of defence, security and convergence on regional and global issues, a statement said.

India actively assists Cambodia in capacity building and human resource development through training slots under the ITEC and scholarships under ICCR. India has also extended grants and concessional loans for developmental projects. Conservation and restoration of the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, and Preah Vihar are being carried out under GoI funding.

India has extended a grant of USD 1.5 million for the purchase of demining equipment and has offered a line of credit worth USD 50 million Line of Credit for the procurement of defence equipment from India.

Trade between the two countries for FY 2023-23 stood at USD 366 million and is growing. Indian investments in Cambodia are estimated at around USD 115 million primarily in pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and mining.

King Norodom Sihamoni is accompanied by a 27-member high-level delegation, including the Minister of the Royal Palace, Vice President of the Senate, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and other senior officials from the royal palace and the Ministry of foreign affairs.

India and Cambodia established diplomatic relations in 1952.

The visit by the King to India comes after nearly six decades. The last visit to India was by King Norodom Sihanouk in 1963, the present King’s father.

Earlier in the morning, the King was accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, after which he visited Rajghat to lay a wreath at the mausoleum of Mahatma Gandhi.

President Droupadi Murmu will host a State Banquet in his honour this evening.