Phnom Penh: Indian Navy Ship (INS) Sujata and Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Veera successfully concluded their four-day port call at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port on Feb. 17. ‘This visit marked another important step in the strengthening of India-Cambodia defence relations,’ underlined the Embassy of India in Cambodia.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, during the port call, the Indian Navy delegation engaged in several high-level meetings, including courtesy calls on the Commander of the Royal Cambodian Navy, the Commander of the Ream Naval Base, and the Deputy Governor of Preah Sihanouk province. Officers from both the Indian and Cambodian navies also participated in various interactive activities.

A reception on board ICGC Veera was hosted by the Ambassador of India to Cambodia along with the Senior Officer of the 1st Training Squadron. The event was attended by senior dignitaries from Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence, the Royal Cambodian Navy, various Cambodian ministries, and members of the diplomatic corps.

Port calls by Indian Navy and Coast Guard ships are an important component of India’s defence cooperation with Cambodia, said the embassy, adding that Indian naval ships have made 17 port calls to Cambodia, involving a total of 24 vessels. INS Sujata also carried and delivered an Infantry Weapon Training Simulator, which was gifted to the Royal Cambodian Army by the India Army to aid in RCA’s training activities. The successful port call by INS Sujata and ICGS Veera reinforces the growing defence cooperation between India and Cambodia.