At a time when the skyline of Cambodia’s capital city Phnom Penh is rapidly getting covered by Chinese-built skyscrapers, India has paved way for itself in the country through public diplomacy. Deepening the cultural roots, on the one hand the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) is restoring Hindu temples in Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm, and on the other, the Indian Government is assisting the country through Quick Impact Projects (QIP) in health, agriculture, skill development and sanitation-water supply.
The Hindu temples of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap were destroyed during the civil war in Cambodia. But braving minefields and adversities ASI’s biggest restoration team is working along with archeologists from other countries. Angkor Wat has almost 100 temples and the main structure is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu.
India had undertaken the work at Angkor Wat at the request of the Cambodian Government from 1986-93 under a bilateral agreement. India was the first country to offer such an assistance in the immediate aftermath following the removal of Khmer Rouge. Costing at about $4 million, the project financed by Ministry of External Affairs was the largest ever undertaken by India under its Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programmme at that time.
"The pilgrimage route for Shaivaites should start from India and end here. 90 per cent of the temples here are of Shiva including that of dancing Shiva. Hence the Shiva circuit is incomplete without visiting Angkor Wat," said Indologist Professor Sachidanand Sahay, who now lives in Cambodia. "Our Buddhist pilgrimage too is linked with India," added Pan Sorasak, Cambodian Minister of Commerce.
A few kilometers away from this is the famous Ta Prohm temple where ASI has completed phase two of restoration. The monument that once had Brahma temple, became more famous after featuring in Angelina Jolie starrer Tomb Raider. ASI's work has been highly appreciated by the International Coordinating Committee for Safeguarding and Development of the Historic site of Angkor.
Apart from cultural connect, Indian government is helping in projects relating to Malaria and Tuberculosis control and treatment. In agriculture sector, Indian experts are guiding Cambodia in improving farm household income by `Promoting Rice Value Chain' for agricultural cooperatives, forestry and fisheries. This project has been extended grant assistance of $50,000 each for 2016-17 and 2016-17.
The private sector is also making presence in Cambodia. The Aggarwal Eye Care Centre and Appolo Hospital's service centres in Phnom Penh are prominent healthcare centres. Tata and Bajaj are already in Cambodia. In fact, the new versions of the local Tuktuks (like three wheelers in India) are now made on Bajaj bikes. It is learnt that Bajaj is now planning to set up an assembly line of three wheelers.
However, Cambodia would like some more big investments from India for which it is offering tax free operations and remittances along with long term easy business visas and other privileges. "Cambodia attaches great importance to India role in the region. We see great potential in our relationship with India. Tourism, trade and investments is one aspect," said Dr Soeung Rathchavy, secretary of state, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia.
As part of security cooperation, Cambodian Army officers train with Indian. The two sides are now exploring the possibility of training of Cambodian defence cadets with that of India. Indian defence teams impart training to the Cambodian Army and security forces in demining and detecting unexploded ordinances left behind the civil war. India recently gave 15 sniffer dogs to Cambodia to detect these ordinances.
"Cambodia is full of opportunities for Indians. There is acute shortage of teachers here and India can help is by providing vocational training to our people. Teachers from India too can come to fill the gap in education system," the commerce minister added.
Indian food and culture is popular. There are 15 Indian restaurants in Phnom Penh and eight in Seim Reap, the next big city of Cambodia. Sorasak said religious tourism is one of the best way to promote people to people contact. "And we welcome Bollywood directors to shoot their films here," Sorasak said while adding that Indian films and actor are very popular in Cambodia. Be it spices, Indian films, temples or fight against malaria and tuberculosis - thanks to public diplomacy there is a bit of India in every Cambodian's life.
