Singh will take part in the India-ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting and attend the 9th ADMM Plus meeting

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Cambodia General TEA Banh discussed closer defence cooperation during a meeting on Monday.

"Reviewed the full range of India-Cambodia defence ties during the fruitful meeting with Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister & Defence Minister, General Samdech Pichey Sena TEA Banh in Siem Reap today. There is immense scope to boost defence cooperation between both the countries," Singh tweeted.

The two ministers discussed mutually beneficial avenues for furthering the bilateral ties between both countries, India's Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.

During their meeting, the two ministers also noted the shared rich cultural and historic linkages between India and Cambodia. They recognised Angkor Wat, an ancient temple complex in Cambodia, as "the symbol of the long-lasting ties between the two countries," the ministry added.

Singh is in Siem Reap, Cambodia, to co-chair the maiden India-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting and attend the 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus). 2022 marks the completion of 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Cambodia.

During the meeting with his counterpart, Singh congratulated Cambodia on the successful chairmanship of ASEAN and ADMM Plus in 2022.

To commemorate 30 years of India-ASEAN relations, India and Cambodia will co-chair the maiden India-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting on Tuesday (November 22), presided over by Singh. Various initiatives to boost India-ASEAN partnership are planned to be announced during the meeting, the Ministry of Defence said.

On Wednesday, Cambodia, as the chair of ADMM Plus meeting, will host the 9th annual meeting and the Raksha Mantri will address the forum.

Defence Minister Singh will also call on the Prime Minister of Cambodia during the visit.