An Indian Army contingent has recently departed for Cambodia to participate in the second edition of Exercise CINBAX-II, a bilateral military exercise between India and Cambodia. The exercise reflects the growing defence cooperation between the two countries and aims to enhance operational coordination between their armed forces.
About Exercise CINBAX-II
Exercise CINBAX-II is a bilateral military exercise conducted between the Indian Army and the Cambodian Army. The second edition of the exercise is being held in Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia.
The exercise is designed to strengthen military-to-military cooperation and improve the ability of both armies to operate together in challenging operational environments.
Participating Contingents
The Indian contingent consists of 120 personnel, primarily drawn from a battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment. The participation of a dedicated infantry battalion enables realistic field-level training and enhances professional interaction between the troops of both countries.
Operational Framework
The exercise is being conducted under the framework of Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, which authorises collective action to maintain or restore international peace and security. The training focuses on company-level joint operations in sub-conventional environments, where threats often arise from non-state actors rather than conventional military forces.
The exercise is structured to simulate conditions commonly encountered during United Nations peacekeeping missions, thereby preparing soldiers for multinational operations in conflict-prone regions.
Focus Areas of the Exercise
A major focus of Exercise CINBAX-II is enhancing interoperability, coordination, and operational synergy between the Indian and Cambodian armies. The exercise provides an opportunity to exchange best practices, tactical procedures, and operational experiences gained in diverse operational theatres.
Special emphasis is being placed on counter-terrorism operations and conducting missions in semi-urban environments, where military forces must deal with complex security challenges while minimizing civilian casualties. The training scenarios are aligned with real-world situations often faced during UN peacekeeping operations.
Strategic Significance
The exercise highlights the strengthening of India–Cambodia defence relations and reflects India’s growing engagement with countries in the Indo-Pacific region. Through such military exchanges, both nations enhance mutual trust, improve defence cooperation, and develop a shared understanding of contemporary security challenges.
For India, the exercise also aligns with its broader Act East Policy, which seeks to deepen strategic, economic, and security ties with Southeast Asian countries. Strengthened defence partnerships contribute to regional stability and reinforce India's role as a responsible security partner in the region.
Conclusion
Exercise CINBAX-II is an important bilateral military exercise aimed at improving operational coordination, counter-terrorism capabilities, and peacekeeping preparedness between the Indian and Cambodian armies. Beyond its military objectives, the exercise serves as a symbol of the expanding strategic partnership between India and Cambodia, contributing to stronger defence ties and regional security cooperation.