On 16 May 2026 the second edition of the Cambodia-India joint military exercise CINBAX-II 2026 concluded in Cambodia’s Kampong Speu Province. This highlights the growing defence partnership between the two nations. The bilateral exercise commenced over a span of two weeks focusing on counter-terrorism operations, peacekeeping missions, and tactical interoperability.
The exercise was conducted at the Techo Sen Phnom Thom Mreas Provincial Royal Cambodian Air Force Training Centre between 3 May - 16 May 2026. The official opening activities took place on 6 May 2026. The drills were conducted under the framework of Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, which governs international peace enforcement operations.
According to reports, total of 280 military personnel participated in the exercise which included 120 troops from India and 160 personnel from Cambodia. The Indian contingent was primarily selected from the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, while the Cambodian side was represented by units of the Royal Cambodian Army.
The exercise centred around joint operational planning and execution in sub-conventional and semi-urban combat environments. Troops from both countries trained together in a range of modern military operations, including sniper drills, mortar firing, drone deployment, room intervention exercises, combat first aid, disaster relief operations, and field tactical manoeuvres. Command Post Exercises (CPX) and Field Training Exercises (FTX) formed the core of the programme.
Military officials from both nations stated that CINBAX-II was designed to enhance interoperability, strengthen tactical coordination, and improve operational synergy between the two armies. The exercise also enabled participating troops to exchange top notch practices, tactics, techniques, and procedures relevant to contemporary security challenges and UN peacekeeping operations.
During the opening ceremony, Lieutenant General Uon Saroeun, Deputy Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army, pointed to the importance of the exercise in reinforcing bilateral military cooperation and operational readiness. Representatives from India’s Defence Attaché Office also attended the ceremony, reaffirming India’s commitment to expanding defence collaboration with Cambodia.
At the conclusion of the exercise, the Indian Army stated that the closing ceremony marked the successful completion of a two-week bilateral engagement aimed at improving tactical coordination and interoperability between the two armed forces.
CINBAX-II reflects India’s broader strategic outreach under its “Act East Policy,” which is pursuing to strengthen engagement with Southeast Asian nations across defence, economic, and diplomatic sectors. The exercise can be viewed as part of India’s increasing military diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region, focussing on regional security cooperation and joint preparedness which are becoming crucially important amidst the growing geopolitical challenges.
The first edition of CINBAX was held in Pune, India, in December 2024 and primarily involved tabletop and command-level exercises. The 2026 second edition displayed a substantial expansion in scale and operational complexity, demonstrating the growing trust and cooperation between the two militaries.
Defence observers believe the exercise highlights a broader trend of enhanced regional military partnerships aimed at addressing shared concerns such as terrorism, humanitarian crises, disaster response, and peacekeeping responsibilities. Through CINBAX-II, India and Cambodia have signalled their commitment to closer strategic coordination and long-term defence engagement in Southeast Asia.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2257604®=3&lang=1
