AKP Phnom Penh, June 29, 2026 —

The Indian Embassy in Cambodia hosted an evening cruise reception for journalists on Saturday, using the riverboat gathering to reaffirm the media's role as a cornerstone in deepening bilateral ties.

Ambassador H.E. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung led the June 27 event aboard a vessel in Phnom Penh, welcoming national and international press corps alongside embassy diplomats. The gala, officials said Sunday, was designed to thank outlets for their sustained coverage of embassy initiatives and the broader India-Cambodia friendship.

But the Ambassador framed the evening as more than a dinner. "This is a valuable platform to exchange views and experiences," he said, underscoring the need to strengthen professional networks between the diplomatic mission and reporters.

Praising journalists as "bridges of accurate information," H.E. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung stressed that closer embassy-media collaboration would be a key driver for elevating diplomatic, economic, and cultural cooperation. "It will enhance mutual understanding and propel our ties to new heights," he added.

The cruise reception marks the latest effort by New Delhi to boost its footprint in Southeast Asia, with Cambodia emerging as a strategic partner in the region.

By K. Rithy Reak