Address by Secretary (East) at the inaugural function of customized training programme for officials of Police Academy of Cambodia

H.E. Maj. General Eng Kimsan, Vice-President of Police Academy of Cambodia
Mr. Balaji Srivastava, Director General, Bureau of Police Research and Development
Dr. Devyani Khobragade, Ambassador of India, Cambodia
Mr. Neeraj Sinha, ADG, BPR&D
Mr. Pawan Shrivastava, Director (Training), BPR&D
Distinguished Faculty/Guests present for this august occasion
Dear Participants

On behalf of the Ministry of External Affairs, it is indeed a pleasure to be part of this inaugural function today. Let me welcome and convey my heartfelt felicitations to all the participants from the Police Academy of Cambodia for attending this e-ITEC training, conducted jointly by two premier institutions of India - Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) and Central Detective Training Institute. BPR&D had also conducted from September to December last year customized courses in counter-terrorism and cyber security for Cambodian police officers.

2. Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) scheme is a flagship programme of Government of India under the aegis of South-South cooperation. India has been offering capacity building assistance to 161 partner countries for the past 55 years under this scheme. In addition to capacity building, the program is about sharing of India's experience, expertise and knowledge in its process of nation-building. ITEC programme is based on solidarity and mutual respect, voluntary cooperation free from any conditionalities, and national ownership aligned with priorities of partner countries. It is demand-driven and response-oriented. We are happy that nearly 2,200 Cambodian nationals have participated in various courses either in India or through eITEC model and we look forward to the number growing in future.

3. Ladies and gentlemen, we are proud that Cambodia is an important partner of India under India - ASEAN Cooperation Framework, India-CLMV Cooperation and Mekong-Ganga Cooperation. India and Cambodia maintain close civilisational and cultural links. Our relations have stood the test of time. Both countries have cordial relations in political, economic and cultural fields. India remains committed to add more substance to our friendship through its 'Act East' policy. It looks forward to deeper and wider engagement with Cambodia.

4. It gives me pleasure to state that the year 2022 marks the 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Cambodia. Also, 2022 is the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-India Partnership and is being celebrated as ASEAN-India Friendship Year. I am certain that the heightened engagements this year would lead to further intensification of our bilateral relationship.

5. I also take this opportunity to congratulate Cambodia on assuming the Chairmanship of ASEAN for the year 2022. Please accept my best wishes for a successful Chairmanship and ASEAN summit scheduled later in this year.

6. Dear participants, we consider all of you from today onwards, as part of our ITEC family and an important link to foster our bilateral relations. We hope that the learning experience you acquire in this e-ITEC course will hold you in good stead in your future endeavours.

7. Lastly, I express my sincere appreciation to all the officials of "Bureau of Police Research & Development" and "Ministry of External Affairs" involved with this program. I also express my gratitude to all friends from Cambodian side associated with the program.

Thank you for your attention and wish you all a happy and healthy 2022.

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