India-Cambodia CINBAX-II 2026 Military Exercise Begins

The second edition of the India-cambodia/">Cambodia Bilateral Military Exercise CINBAX-II 2026 began at Techo Sen Phnom Thom Mreas Prov Royal Cambodian Air Force Training Centre, also known as Camp Basil, in Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia. The exercise is scheduled from 4 to 17 May 2026 and involves company-level joint training under Chapter VII of the UN mandate.

Exercise Profile

CINBAX stands for Cambodia-India Bilateral Army Exercise. The 2026 edition is the second iteration of the exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Cambodian Army. The exercise is conducted in a sub-conventional environment, which is a military term used for counter-terrorism, internal security, and similar operations below the level of conventional war.

Participating Forces and Location

The Indian Army contingent has 120 personnel, mainly from a battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment. The Cambodian contingent has 160 personnel from the Royal Cambodian Army. The venue is located in Kampong Speu Province, which is one of the provinces of Cambodia.

Training Themes and Operational Areas

The exercise includes counter-terrorism drills, UN peacekeeping-related tasks, and interoperability training. The training package covers drone operations, mortar drills, sniper tactics, tactical discussions, and validation exercises in semi-urban terrain. Interoperability refers to the ability of two armed forces to operate together with common procedures and communication.

Important Facts for Exams

• Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter deals with action related to threats to peace, breaches of peace, and acts of aggression.
• UN peacekeeping operations often involve multinational forces deployed in conflict or post-conflict areas.
• The Maratha Light Infantry is one of the infantry regiments of the Indian Army.
• Cambodia is a Southeast Asian country with Phnom Penh as its capital.

India-Cambodia Defence Cooperation

India and Cambodia conduct bilateral military engagement under defence cooperation frameworks that include training, exchanges, and joint exercises. CINBAX-II 2026 is part of India’s military diplomacy with friendly foreign countries and is linked to regional security cooperation.