DPA
Phnom Penh - India's President Pratibha Patil began a five-day visit to Cambodia on Monday during which she is expected to discuss investment and security issues.
Patil said Cambodia, Laos and India shared a linked cultural heritage dating back centuries.
"I will assure (Cambodia and Laos) that they can count on India as a willing development partner," she said at the start of her trip to both nations.
Patil said India wanted to boost trade and investment, which she described as growing but "much below potential."
The Indian embassy in Phnom Penh listed total trade between the two nations at 50 million dollars for 2008-09, the bulk of it Indian exports such as pharmaceuticals, cotton and machinery.
Patil said Cambodia and Laos had given "unconditional support" to India's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security.
Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong declined to comment on Phnom Penh's position, saying only that the issue was not yet on the UN's agenda.
"Right now, it is not time for issues about the enlargement of the United Nations Security Council," he said.
Patil was expected to meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen, King Norodom Sihamoni and senior government officials.
Patil said Cambodia, Laos and India shared a linked cultural heritage dating back centuries.
"I will assure (Cambodia and Laos) that they can count on India as a willing development partner," she said at the start of her trip to both nations.
Patil said India wanted to boost trade and investment, which she described as growing but "much below potential."
The Indian embassy in Phnom Penh listed total trade between the two nations at 50 million dollars for 2008-09, the bulk of it Indian exports such as pharmaceuticals, cotton and machinery.
Patil said Cambodia and Laos had given "unconditional support" to India's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security.
Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong declined to comment on Phnom Penh's position, saying only that the issue was not yet on the UN's agenda.
"Right now, it is not time for issues about the enlargement of the United Nations Security Council," he said.
Patil was expected to meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen, King Norodom Sihamoni and senior government officials.
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