Indian Diaspora in Cambodia

India-Cambodia relations go back to ancient times when Hindu and Buddhist religious and cultural influences emanated out of India to various parts of South-East Asia. Cambodians though predominantly Buddhist, retain a strong influence of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Indian architecture are borne out by the structures at Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm and other religious and historical sites in Cambodia. India’s influence in Cambodia is visible from the Hindu-style temples of Angkor Wat to written Khmer language- a derivative of the Sanskrit and Pali script from present-day southern India. Similarities in various cultural/ religious practices of India and Cambodia make Indians feel at home in Cambodia. Hinduism and Theravada Buddhism are traditionally linked together and share traditions, rituals and holidays.

2. India established formal diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of Kampuchea and opened its embassy in Phnom Penh in 1981 when Cambodia was internationally isolated. India had provided various personnel to conduct the country’s UNTAC-sponsored elections in 1993. The Government of India agreed to preserve Angkor Wat temple when the Government of Cambodia appealed, between 1986 and 1993 and spent around 4 million dollars during this conservation.

3. The Indian population in Phnom Penh is though small in number but remains an intimate and close-knit group that has integrated well into local society and plays a prominent role in most sectors of commercial life. Indian population in Cambodia, estimated to be around 5000, include floating population of petty businessmen engaged in selling household items such as mosquito nets, clothes, fashion jewellery etc from eastern India. Indian diaspora in Cambodia generally are into professions such as doctors, NGO workers and business sectors like pharmaceuticals, education, restaurants, agriculture and plantations, etc. A few of them are working for various institutions of the United Nations and also as Advisors to Cambodian government agencies and institutions.

4. Indian culture is visible in Cambodia. Indian Hindu festivals like Diwali, Holi, Makar Sakranti as well as other important national days are celebrated by the Indian community. Besides a small section of the Indian community members also do organize sports events such as cricket matches. Due to reach of satellite television, popular Hindi soap operas and films are shown by local TV channels dubbed in local khmer language.

5. The Indian Association Cambodia Community (IACC) is a non-profit Indian Community Development and Social Association, founded in the year 1993. It is run by an executive committee and supported by its executive members. All executive committee members are volunteers and come from all walks of life for the support and development of India-Cambodia relations through various voluntary cultural, social and community development programs. IACC can be approached by Indian nationals in Cambodia for any support and assistance.

6. Besides IACC, close-knit linguistic/regional groups are also seen functioning for the cooperation and development of their members. For example, Tamil Sangham is dedicated to the welfare of people from Tamil Nadu. There are such groups representing other states and regions, including that of India’s North East.

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12 June 2025