It focuses on counter-terrorism operations, United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions, hybrid warfare, and logistics
The inaugural edition of the joint military exercise CINBAX, involving the armies of India and Cambodia, began on December 1, 2024 at the Foreign Training Node in Pune. This marks a significant step in enhancing bilateral defense ties and operational interoperability between the two nations. The week-long table-top exercise, concluding on December 8, focuses on counter-terrorism operations, United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions, hybrid warfare, and logistics.

With contingents comprising 20 personnel each from the Cambodian Army and the Indian Army’s Infantry Brigade, CINBAX aims to strengthen military cooperation and foster trust through a systematic and theme-based training program.

Comprehensive Phased Training Program
The exercise is designed in three progressive phases, each focusing on a critical aspect of joint military operations:

Phase I: Preparation and Orientation
This phase provides a foundational understanding of counter-terrorism operations during UN peacekeeping missions. Participants are oriented toward mission planning and operational frameworks under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which authorizes robust peace enforcement measures in conflict zones.

Phase II: Table-Top Exercises
The second phase features detailed scenario-based discussions, focusing on the establishment of a Joint Training Task Force for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Participants also address critical themes such as information operations, cyber warfare, hybrid warfare, logistics management, casualty evacuation, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).

Phase III: Finalization and Summing-Up
In the concluding phase, participants refine and finalize operational plans based on their learnings from earlier phases. Practical applications are reviewed through tactical discussions, ensuring comprehensive comprehension of the procedures required in real-world scenarios.

A significant aspect of CINBAX 2024 is the showcase of Indian-made defense equipment and technologies. This aligns with the nation’s “Atmanirbharta” initiative, which promotes indigenous defense manufacturing. 

Strategic Objectives of CINBAX 2024
The CINBAX exercise addresses contemporary security challenges, particularly in the context of counter-terrorism and hybrid warfare. Key objectives include:

Enhancing Interoperability: By engaging in joint training, the Indian and Cambodian armies aim to improve their ability to conduct coordinated operations in diverse environments.

Building Operational Efficiency: The exercise emphasizes intelligence sharing, reconnaissance, and surveillance to strengthen tactical decision-making.

Fostering Trust and Camaraderie: Military exercises often serve as platforms for cultural exchange, fostering mutual respect and understanding between participating nations.

Preparing for Future Challenges: Discussions on cyber warfare, logistics, and disaster relief highlight the evolving nature of modern military operations.

Multi-faceted India-Cambodia Ties 
The India-Cambodia relationship is deeply rooted in shared cultural, religious, and linguistic heritage. 

Cambodia’s Buddhist traditions are significantly influenced by Hindu rituals, mythology, and idolatry, creating enduring cultural bonds. Linguistically, Sanskrit and Khmer share an estimated 3,000 common words.

India and Cambodia formalised diplomatic relations in 1952, even before Cambodia’s independence from France. India played a crucial role in Cambodia’s recovery from the traumatic Khmer Rouge era, becoming the first democratic nation to recognize the Heng Samrin regime in 1981. 

India’s contributions include facilitating the 1991 Paris Peace Accords, providing military and non-military support for the 1993 UNTAC-sponsored elections, and deploying experts from the Archaeological Survey of India for the restoration of the iconic Angkor Wat temple.

In recent years, the relationship has expanded under India’s “Act East” policy, with Cambodia emerging as a key partner in the ASEAN framework. Defence cooperation, capacity building, and infrastructure development have become vital components of this partnership.

Economic and Cultural Synergy
Beyond defense, India and Cambodia share strong economic ties. India’s exports to Cambodia include pharmaceuticals, automotive parts, and leather goods, while Cambodia exports organic chemicals, apparel, and footwear. Both nations have signed numerous agreements to boost trade, cultural exchanges, and developmental cooperation.

The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC), established in 2000, is another platform where India and Cambodia collaborate. This initiative promotes regional connectivity, cultural preservation, and sustainable development among six member countries: India, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The successful launch of CINBAX 2024 signals a new era in India-Cambodia defense relations. This exercise not only enhances the operational readiness of both armies but also highlights the broader strategic importance of their partnership in ensuring regional stability.

As the global security landscape evolves, initiatives like CINBAX are critical for fostering collaboration, mutual understanding, and resilience.