PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA — July 9, 2025 — Shri Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, Government of India, reaffirmed India’s strong commitment to capacity-building and educational collaboration with Cambodia during his official visit from July 6 to 9, 2025.
The minister addressed over 50 Cambodian alumni of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Scholarship programmes at a special interaction held on July 6 at the India House in Phnom Penh. These alumni represent key ministries and institutions across Cambodia, many of whom now occupy senior leadership roles.
Among the prominent Cambodian dignitaries in attendance were H.E. Som Kimsuor, Auditor General of Cambodia; H.E. Eat Sophea, Permanent Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC); H.E. Khy Sovanratana, Secretary of State, MoFAIC; H.E. Sao Chivoan, President of the Cambodia-India Alumni Association and Secretary of State, Ministry of Rural Development; and H.E. Chan Sorey, Secretary of State, Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
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In his keynote address, Shri Margherita emphasized that India views its developmental partnerships through the lens of shared growth, mutual respect, and people-centric engagement. “True and sustainable development lies not only in building infrastructure, but also in empowering people,” he said.
Highlighting the enduring role of the ITEC programme, the minister noted that over 3,000 Cambodians have received specialized training in critical sectors such as public administration, finance, IT, water resource management, and disaster risk reduction since 1981. In the year 2024–25 alone, 298 Cambodian officials participated in ITEC short-term training courses, including six customized programmes designed in consultation with key ministries such as Justice, Women’s Affairs, Education, Energy, and Civil Service.
He also acknowledged the evolving needs of Cambodia and India’s responsiveness in tailoring programmes accordingly since 2017, reflecting the dynamic nature of the bilateral partnership.
The ICCR scholarship programme was also highlighted as a major enabler of higher education for Cambodian youth. In 2024–25, a total of 65 Cambodian students received ICCR scholarships—55 under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme and 10 under the Mekong Ganga Cooperation Scholarship Scheme. Additionally, two Cambodian students joined Nalanda University under the ASEAN Scholarship scheme, further strengthening academic and cultural linkages.
Shri Margherita praised the Cambodia-India Alumni Association for fostering continued engagement between the two countries. “Our alumni are living bridges between India and Cambodia. Their contributions across governance, education, and civil society reflect the success of our people-centric partnership,” he stated.
H.E. Sao Chivoan, President of the Alumni Association, expressed his gratitude to the Indian Government and warmly welcomed the minister on behalf of all alumni. He lauded India’s consistent support in Cambodia’s development journey, particularly in the areas of technology, education, and institutional strengthening.
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The event concluded with a shared vision to deepen cooperation in human resource development and people-to-people exchanges—an enduring pillar of the India-Cambodia partnership.
