India’s Secretary (East) Visits Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Asian Traditional Textile Museum in Cambodia

Siem Reap, Cambodia – March 22, 2026 – Secretary (East) in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, P. Kumaran, visited the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Asian Traditional Textile Museum in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The visit underscores India’s commitment to strengthening cultural ties with Southeast Asian nations through the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) framework.

Highlighting Shared Cultural Heritage

The museum, the first of its kind in Cambodia, showcases the rich textile traditions of the Mekong-Ganga region, emphasizing the shared cultural heritage of the participating countries. According to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, the museum displays cultural artifacts and traditional textiles from nations connected through the MGC [@MEAIndia].

Mekong-Ganga Cooperation

The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation is an initiative that brings together India and five Southeast Asian countries – Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam – to foster cooperation in areas such as tourism, culture, education, and economic development. The framework aims to revitalize ancient links and promote mutual understanding between the two regions.

Recent Diplomatic Engagements

Secretary (East) Kumaran’s visit to Cambodia follows a series of diplomatic engagements in recent weeks. On March 11, 2026, he hosted a farewell dinner for Indonesia’s Ambassador to India, Ina Krisnamurthi, with heads of mission from ASEAN countries in attendance [MEAINDIA Facebook]. The Ministry of External Affairs noted that Kumaran thanked Ambassador Krisnamurthi for her contributions to strengthening India-Indonesia relations.

In February 2026, Kumaran led an official visit to the Republic of Korea, co-chairing the 6th Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue (FPSD) with his Korean counterpart [Instagram]. Discussions focused on enhancing the ‘India-ROK Special Strategic Partnership’ through increased collaboration in areas like artificial intelligence and cultural exchange.

Key Takeaways

• Secretary (East) P. Kumaran visited the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Asian Traditional Textile Museum in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
• The museum showcases the textile traditions and cultural heritage of the Mekong-Ganga region.
• The visit highlights India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Southeast Asian nations through the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation framework.
• Recent diplomatic engagements demonstrate India’s focus on regional partnerships.

The visit to the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Asian Traditional Textile Museum signifies India’s continued dedication to fostering cultural exchange and strengthening relationships with its Southeast Asian partners. Further collaborations within the MGC framework are expected to build upon this momentum in the coming months.