Cambodian PM holds phone conversation with India's Modi to discuss Covid-19, ties

Police block motorists from passing at a checkpoint set up at the border between Phnom Penh and neighbouring Kandal province, as part of efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19 in Phnom Penh on April 10, 2020. Modi praised the Cambodian government for achieving effective control of the outbreak. - AFP

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen held a telephone conversation with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Wednesday evening, discussing the Covid-19 pandemic and bilateral ties, said a foreign ministry's press statement on Thursday (June 11).

"The two leaders concurred that the process toward post Covid-19 socio-economic recovery would require greater international cooperation and coordination more than ever before," the statement said.

Hun Sen commended the Indian government's efforts in fighting Covid-19 and also extended his deep condolences for the loss of many Indian lives to the disease, it said.

For his part, Modi praised the Cambodian government for achieving effective control of the Covid-19 outbreak, it added.

The two prime ministers also thanked each other for the attention and facilities provided to enable the repatriation of their respective nationals stranded in both countries.

According to the statement, a chartered flight will bring 60 Cambodian nationals, including some students from India to Cambodia on Friday, while about 280 Indian nationals will return home within days, and some already left Phnom Penh on Thursday, with the rest to depart Cambodia on June 19.

The two leaders also vowed to further deepen bilateral cooperation and expressed commitment to further strengthening regional cooperation, including in the Asean-India framework. - Xinhua