Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: With India’s assistance, Cambodia has declared the Botum Sakor district in Koh Kong as mine-free, ensuring the safety and sustainable development of the region.
“Towards a Mine-Free Future: India Supports Cambodia’s Progress! With grant assistance from India, Botum Sakor District in Koh Kong has been declared mine-free—enabling safer land use, improved livelihoods, and sustainable development,” the Embassy of India in Phnom Penh posted on X.
India and the Cambodia Mine Action and Victims Assistance Authority (CMAA) had signed an agreement in 2023 for making Botum Sakor, Srae Ambel, Thma Bang districts, and Trapeang Rung Commune in Koh Kong province mine-free with a total Indian grant of $426,709.
The Indian assistance was announced by Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar during his visit to Cambodia in November 2022 during a meeting with then Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen. The agreement was signed by India’s Ambassador to Cambodia and Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and First Vice-President of CMAA.
Thuch, in his speech, appreciated India for its contribution in demining activities in Cambodia to boost the mine clearance work and help Cambodia achieve its goal of becoming a mine-free nation by 2025. He had mentioned that India has been assisting in making four villages in Koh Kong Province mine-free under the Quick Impact Project with a grant of USD$ 50,000.