The King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihamoni, arrived in New Delhi on Monday for his first state visit to India. This visit marks the end of celebrations for the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Cambodia, which began in 1952. Minister of State for External Affairs Rajkumar Ranjan Singh welcomed the Cambodian King at the Air Force Station, Palam. The King is accompanied by a 27-member delegation, including high-ranking officials from Cambodia.
The External Affairs Ministry spokesman, Arindam Bagchi, said that the visit is an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between India and Cambodia. The last state visit from Cambodia was almost 60 years ago by the current King’s father in 1963. The King will receive a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday and attend a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu the same evening. He will also have bilateral meetings with President Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and be visited by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
India and Cambodia have a warm and friendly relationship based on shared cultural values, economic growth, collaboration in defense and security, and agreement on regional and global issues.
