Embassy of India

Phnom Penh

Press Release

Meeting of Ambassador of India with His Holiness Tep Vong, Supreme Patriarch of Maha Nikaya Sangha of Cambodia

Ambassador of India, Dr. Devyani Uttam Khobragade visited ancient Wat Ounlom pagoda in Phnom Penh and held a coutesy meeting and with His Holiness Tep Vong, Sangharaja of Maha Nikaya Sangha of Cambodia and also received his blessings. His Holiness expressed happiness on her joining Embassy of India as Ambassador of Republic of India to Cambodia and expressed his hopes that during her tenure as Ambassador of India in Cambodia, relationship between India and Cambodia will further strenghten. He also recalled his association and interaction with the high Indian dignitaries who visited Cambodia during recent and distant past including visit of Shri Ram Nath Kovind, President of India and the then Governor of Bihar in 2018. His Holiness also indicated the shared legacy of Buddism of India and Cambodia and expressed his hope of further deepening of India and Cambodia relationship with the help of our shared culture and relegion.

2. Ambassador expressed her keen interest to work in diverse fields such as culture, religion and education etc. for furthering close ties between India and Cambodia. At the end of the meeting, Ambassador made her offerings to His Holiness Tep Vong as a mark of respect to him. His Holiness Tep Vong along with his aides Samdech Dr. Khy Sovanratana and other monks showered blessings on her chanting Pali suttas and sprinkling sacred water. Samdech Dr. Khy Sovanratana breiefed Ambassador the history of Wat Ounlom which had initially been established during 15th century.