Cambodia: PM Cuts Short India Visit After Death Of Former Indian Prime Minister

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, right, shakes hands with Nhek Bun Chhay, left, Deputy Prime Minister, as Minister of Council Ministry Sok An, center,looks on, on Hun Sen's arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, July 9, 2007. (Photo courtesy: AP

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA: Prime Minister Hun Sen cut short a scheduled four-day visit to India and returned to Cambodia Monday (July 9th) following the death of a former Indian prime minister, a top official said.

Hun Sen's delegation had flown to India on Sunday (July 8th), but decided to return after just one night so the Indian government could attend to funeral arrangements for Chandra Shekhar, said Cambodia Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.

Shekhar, a former Indian premier and socialist legislator, died of cancer in a New Delhi hospital Sunday (July 8th) aged 80. He headed a coalition government for a brief period in 1990-91.

Hun Sen had been scheduled to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Hor Namhong said.

The signing of a memorandum of understanding on petroleum cooperation and several agreements _ covering defense cooperation, the transfer of prisoners, and agriculture and water resource management _ has been postponed, Hor Namhong said.

The trip will be rescheduled for a more appropriate time, he added. (AP)