The Embassy of India in Phnom Penh hosted a ceremony on Sept. 15 to celebrate Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day, underscoring New Delhi’s enduring commitment to capacity-building, digital empowerment, and bilateral partnership with Cambodia.
The event brought together key dignitaries, Royal Government officials, academics, and ITEC alumni. H.E. Sok Soken, Minister of Inspection, attended as the guest of honour, reflecting the high-level diplomatic and operational ties between the two nations.
Welcoming the delegation, Indian Ambassador H.E. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung highlighted ITEC’s role as a cornerstone of South-South cooperation. He noted that the programme’s guiding philosophy remains “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”—the belief that the world is one family.
“ITEC is grounded in the principle that development is a shared journey,” Ambassador Bawitlung said, emphasising that the initiative fosters strong bilateral bonds through direct knowledge exchange, skill development, and mutual learning.
According to the Embassy, since ITEC’s rollout in Cambodia in 1981, around 3,000 Cambodian nationals have benefited from various specialised courses. In the past year alone, nearly 300 Cambodian officials participated in fully funded civilian and defence training programmes in India.
Focusing on the 2026–2027 academic cycle, the Ambassador detailed several customised, forward-looking initiatives designed specifically for Cambodian civil servants in emerging domains:
Artificial Intelligence in Education: Training 30 officials from the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport on integrating AI into STEM curricula.
Digital Technologies: Advanced instruction in next-generation media tools for 15 officials from the Ministry of Information.
Cybersecurity & Cybercrime: Tailored courses on combating online scams and cyber threats for 30 officials from the Ministry of Interior.
Public Policy: A dedicated module on good governance and administrative leadership for 80 Cambodian public servants.
Ambassador Bawitlung also outlined India’s broader economic trajectory, noting a 7.8 percent growth rate in the first quarter of 2026. He underscored several landmark achievements, including:
Tech & Space Milestones: India recently became the third nation to successfully launch a private orbital rocket, following its hosting of the global-south AI Impact Summit in February focused on “People, Planet, and Progress.”
Digital Public Infrastructure: The nationwide adoption of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) continues to drive financial inclusion, expanding its reach into international markets like Cambodia.
Green Energy: India now ranks third globally in renewable energy capacity with over 300 GW installed, complemented by the launch of its first hydrogen-powered train in June 2026.
Globally, ITEC offers 12,000 fully funded training opportunities annually across more than 300 specialised courses at 120 premier Indian institutions. Since its inception, over 225,000 professionals from 160 countries have trained under the flag of ITEC, with the Government of India covering all travel, lodging, and tuition costs.
The Phnom Penh celebration concluded with a recognition of Cambodian alumni contributions to local socio-economic development, followed by cultural performances presented by students of the Indian Embassy’s Yoga and Dance Centre.
