Tea Banh meets Indian counterpart

General Tea Banh and Defence Minister Shrimati Sitharaman. KT/Chor Sokunthea

The Defence Minister yesterday requested additional cooperation in mine clearing and peacekeeping from his Indian counterpart during her two day visit to the Kingdom.

Defence Minister General Tea Banh yesterday told reporters that he had met with Indian Defence Minister Shrimati Nirmala Sitharaman.

Gen Banh said that Cambodia and India have had fruitful defence cooperation through exchanges of military education.

“We also requested her [country’s] help, especially in providing modern equipment to help clear mines, and materials for Cambodian peacekeepers,” Gen Banh said. “She told me that she will help Cambodian UN peacekeepers.”

Gen Banh added that Indian forces can learn a lot from Cambodian forces as both countries volunteer for United Nations peacekeeping missions.

Gen Banh noted that India has in the past provided 15 mine-detecting canines, the first in Cambodia.

“The Indian Defence Minister vowed that she will cooperate with Cambodia for stronger cooperation,” he said.

Defence Ministry spokesman General Chhum Sucheat said that India vowed to continue cooperation in missions related to peacekeeping.

He said that her stance showed India’s commitment in achieving peace.

“India will help Cambodia become more secure through regional and non-regional peacekeeping,” Gen Sucheat said.

Khmer Times
Khy Sovuthy