PHNOM PENH: On Wednesday morning, Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong spoke about Cambodia-India bilateral relations which will soon reach its 70th anniversary in May. He said that over the past 70 years, friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries have improved in all fields, however, he also added that trade cooperation is still limited, so a free trade agreement should be considered to further enhance cooperation. DPM Hor Namhong made this request during a courtesy call with the Indian Ambassador to Cambodia, Dr Devyani Uttam Khobragade.
The DPM also discussed the Indo-Pacific Concept, along with the concept, progress and formation of ASEAN. He relayed three points made by Prime Minister Hun Sen: 1. Must provide benefits for peace and development; 2. Not be against any country; 3. Respect and provide support for the ASEAN Middle East and ASEAN Indo-Pacific Concept.
Regarding the issue of Myanmar, DPM Hor Namhong spoke about Prime Minister Hun Sen's official visit to the country, in order to request direct talks as the 2022 ASEAN Chair, and how Cambodia will continue to work to help solve Myanmar's problems based on the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. He said that Myanmar has not been able to implement any of the five points at once, which is why Prime Minister Hun Sen visited Myanmar, to push for a ceasefire and the continued implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.
The DPM referred to the issue surrounding the South China Sea regarding sovereignty and territorial boundaries between some ASEAN countries and China, saying that this issue must be resolved directly between the concerned countries. He also recalled the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), which the 10 ASEAN Foreign Ministers signed along with the Chinese Foreign Ministers in order to avoid conflicts in the South China Sea. The DOC can be considered a historical document of ASEAN-China relations signed with China when Cambodia chaired ASEAN for the first time in 2002. Throughout the 20 years of negotiations from 2002 to 2022, all parties still demanded the full implementation of the DOC.
Regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, DPM Hor Namhong recalled that Prime Minister Hun Sen has repeatedly stated Cambodia's views and positions and that a ceasefire was needed to maintain Ukraine's independence, integrity and sovereignty, as well as Russia's security concerns. He suggested that the West should encourage a successful ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine and avoid foreign intervention to worsen the situation, which could affect security and peace in Europe. He said the war was, in fact, between NATO-Europe-US and Russia through Ukraine.
He also expressed his thanks, on behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, to the Government of India, for providing assistance to Cambodia in the restoration of Ta Prohm temple since 2004, as well as the installation of pumps, demining efforts, providing scholarships for Cambodian students and civil servants, and providing grant loans.
The Indian Ambassador responded to the DPM with support for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Cambodia and India to promote closer and deeper cooperation.
Regarding the issue in Myanmar, she praised Prime Minister Hun Sen's visit to Myanmar, in an effort to find a solution, and agreed with the DPM that Myanmar could not implement the Five-Point Consensus quickly, and will need to take it one step at a time. Regarding the South China Sea, she questioned whether China really wanted the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea (COC).
Ambassador Devyani Uttam Khobragade also said that the Indian Prime Minister had called for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, requesting direct talks to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war. She added that India will play a key role as a member of the QUAD in finding a solution to the Russia-Ukraine war.
