Early Times Report NEW DELHI, Feb 24: Reaffirming the deep civilizational ties between India and Cambodia, Rahul Sahai, Chairman, Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Jammu Chapter, presented an idol of Lord Ram to the Official Delegation of the Government of Cambodia during a high-level interaction held in New Delhi. The gesture symbolized the enduring cultural and spiritual connect shared by the two nations, as the Ramayana holds a revered place in Cambodian heritage. In Cambodia, the epic is known as the Reamker and forms an integral part of its classical dance traditions, literature, and temple architecture. The magnificent depictions of the Ramayana at the iconic Angkor Wat stand as a powerful reminder of the centuries-old cultural bridge between the two countries. Sahai remarked that such shared heritage provides a strong foundation for expanding contemporary economic partnerships. The meeting was held in New Delhi at The Imperial New Delhi, Connaught Place, in a formal setting conducive to high-level deliberations. The Cambodian delegation was led by His Excellency Tith Rithipol, Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce, Kingdom of Cambodia, accompanied by the Cambodian Ambassador to India and the Head of the Exports Division of Cambodia. The interaction focused on enhancing bilateral trade, deepening private-sector cooperation, and exploring structured engagement between business communities of both countries. A wide range of business opportunities were discussed during the meeting, including renewable energy, healthcare, agro-processing, MSME partnerships, tourism, education, and digital commerce. Sahai highlighted the immense potential of Jammu & Kashmir in sectors such as horticulture, food processing, tourism infrastructure, light manufacturing, and renewable energy. He emphasized that regional industry bodies like ICC Jammu can act as catalysts in translating diplomatic goodwill into tangible economic outcomes through focused business-to-business collaborations. In a significant development, it was mutually agreed that an ICC Jammu & Kashmir business delegation will visit Cambodia in the near future to explore on-ground opportunities, interact with industry leaders, and further strengthen trade linkages between the two regions. His Excellency Tith Rithipol appreciated the constructive dialogue and expressed optimism about expanding economic engagement with India, particularly through enhanced private-sector participation. The interaction was attended by senior representatives from leading Indian business houses and institutions including Jindal Steel, CK Birla Hospitals, Vikram Solar, Mefcom Group, Institute of Cost Accountants of India, officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, former Secretary, Government of India, along with ICC Northern Region leadership, Debmalya Banerjee, Subhash Goyal, Anil Razdan, Ajay Sardana and Pankaj Satija, among other distinguished participants. The meeting concluded on a positive and forward-looking note, paving the way for deeper economic cooperation and sustained engagement between India and Cambodia. |