India is hosting a special guest this week: King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia. The monarch arrived in New Delhi on Monday for a three-day state visit that marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The king was greeted by Minister of State for External Affairs Rajkumar Ranjan Singh at the airport and received a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday morning. He met President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bilateral talks on various issues of mutual interest.

The visit is expected to boost cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, tourism, culture, education and defence. India and Cambodia share a long history of cultural and civilizational links, dating back to the ancient times. India has also been a key partner in Cambodia’s development and reconstruction efforts. The king will also visit the Taj Mahal in Agra and the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya during his stay. He will also attend a cultural event organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in New Delhi.