AKP Phnom Penh, February 17, 2026 --

Senior officials of Banteay Meanchey province met with the Indian Ambassador to Cambodia on Monday to strengthen bilateral cooperation, focusing on high-level educational scholarships and addressing humanitarian concerns regarding ongoing border instability.

Governor H.E. Oum Reatrey and Provincial Council President Plek Vary hosted Indian Ambassador H.E. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung at the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Hall to discuss development priorities and the welfare of local residents.

During the meeting, Governor Oum Reatrey expressed deep gratitude to the Indian government for its consistent humanitarian support, particularly the provision of prosthetic limbs for persons with disabilities within the province.

However, the Governor also briefed the Indian diplomat on the deteriorating security situation along the border. He highlighted several critical issues resulting from reported incursions by Thai forces: A total of 3,076 families (approximately 11,250 individuals) and 44 Buddhist monks remain in temporary shelters or with relatives; Over 2,000 homes and several pagodas have been destroyed or damaged; Six villages are currently obstructed by shipping containers and barbed wire fences installed by Thai troops; Unexploded ordnance remains a significant threat to civilians and livestock in public areas and religious sites.

In response, the Indian Ambassador commended Cambodia’s rapid economic growth and the Royal Government’s proactive measures against online administrative crimes. Highlighting India's role as a key development partner, the Ambassador announced several initiatives tailored for the province: India will offer 40 to 50 scholarships for Master’s and Doctoral programmes, with applications opening in late February. Priority will be given to high-achieving students from Banteay Meanchey.

Under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) initiative, 300 slots have been allocated for Cambodian civil servants, police officers specialising in anti-cybercrime, and judicial officials.

Short-term training programmes (one to two weeks) in India will be made available to Banteay Meanchey provincial officials to enhance administrative capacity.

"We hope that Cambodian students will bring back the knowledge and experience gained from Indian universities to contribute to the development of their homeland," the Ambassador stated.

The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to deepening the partnership between the provincial administration and the Republic of India, ensuring continued support for both human resource development and regional stability.

By K. Rithy Reak