By IANS
New Delhi : It's the season of 'Look East' diplomacy for India as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen comes here Sunday to intensify economic and energy ties, a day after the Vietnamese prime minister wraps up his trip.
India and Cambodia, famous for the 12th century Angkor Vat temple that symbolises deep cultural kinship between the two countries, are expected to sign several agreements, including one in the area of oil and natural gas.
The agreement on cooperation and technical assistance between the National Petroleum Authority of Cambodia and the Oil and Natural Gas Commission of India is expected to be signed in the presence of Hun Sen and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Agreements on prisoner exchange and defence cooperation are also expected to be signed. Cambodia is an important developing country of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, Defense Minister Tea Banh and Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh are expected to accompany Hun Sen on the two-day visit.
India is set to intensify bilateral cooperation with Cambodia in diverse areas, including human resource development, IT, agriculture, culture, trade and tourism during the visit.
India has agreed to work on the conservation and restoration of Ta Prom, another temple complex in the Angkor Park area, which is likely to cost around $5 million.
India had helped Cambodia in conserving the Angkor temple complex – hailed as a marvel of centuries-old Khmer culture – between 1986 and 1993 when no other country was willing to help due to near chronic political instability in that country.
Recently, the Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh (RSS), India's right wing Hindu organisation, made a strong pitch for including Angkor Vat as one of the seven wonders of the world as the temple complex reveals the imprint of Indian culture in Southeast Asia.