(Kampong Speu): On 16 May 2026, the Royal Cambodian Army and the Indian Army held the closing ceremony of the 2nd Cambodia–India Bilateral Exercise (CINBAX II) at the Techo Sen Phnom Thom Mreas Prov RCAF Training Center, located in Samrong Tong District, Kampong Speu Province.

The ceremony was co-presided over by H.E. General Mao Sophan, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army, and H.E. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung, Ambassador of the Republic of India to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Exercise CINBAX II was conducted over a period of two weeks, focusing on joint training, strengthening interoperability, exchanging professional experiences, and building mutual trust between the armed forces of both countries in accordance with the framework of United Nations mandated operations. Training activities included command post exercises, tactical drills, live-fire exercises, Cordon and Search Operations (CASO), House Intervention operations, as well as exchanges of experience on modern technologies such as drones and counter-drone systems.

General Mao Sophan highly praised the successful conduct of the exercise and stated that CINBAX is not merely a military training activity, but also a symbol of solidarity, friendship, and the strong partnership between Cambodia and India. He further emphasized that Cambodia and India share historical, cultural, and civilizational ties dating back thousands of years, and that in Cambodia’s modern history, India was among the countries that stood with Cambodia during the national reconstruction period following 1979.

H.E. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung, Ambassador of India to Cambodia, expressed his satisfaction with the outcomes of the exercise and noted that CINBAX II reflected the growing mutual trust, understanding, and cooperation between the armed forces of both countries. He also highlighted that defence cooperation between Cambodia and India has continued to expand through training, capacity building, and ongoing professional exchanges.

General Mao Sophan and H.E. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung commended all participating troops for conducting the exercise with professionalism, solidarity, and mutual respect, leading to the successful conclusion of CINBAX II, which further strengthened friendship, brotherhood, and cooperation between the armed forces and peoples of both countries.