The decision marks a turning point in the defence relationship between the two nations

The Indian Army will send a training team to Cambodia and offer specialized courses in modern disciplines to Cambodian Army personnel at its top training facilities.

The Ministry of Defence announced the decision after talks between Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande and visiting Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army Lieutenant General Hun Manet in New Delhi on Friday. This is the first visit by any Commander of the Cambodian Army and marks a milestone in Army-to-Army relations between both countries.

During the meeting, General Pande reaffirmed India’s support to Cambodia by offering customised training modules for the Royal Cambodian Army and Lt Gen Hun Manet announced the schedule for the conduct of the first Army-to-Army Staff Talks in Cambodia.

“The Indian Army will be conducting tailor made courses in various contemporary subjects at its premier training establishments and deploy a Training team to Cambodia” the Ministry of Defence said. Both Army Chiefs signed the ‘Terms of Reference’ for Staff Talks and exchanged customised training folders.

Lieutenant General Hun Manet, who is also the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), is on a visit to India from February 2-4.

Earlier, he laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in honour of the Indian Armed Forces' fallen soldiers. Furthermore, the Department of Defence Production (DDP) and the Army Design Bureau briefed him on the Indian domestic defence equipment production eco-system during a meeting with Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane.

Later, he also called on Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri.

Lt Gen Hun Manet is also scheduled to visit the Rajputana Rifles Regimental Center in Delhi Cantonment on Saturday for a demonstration of home-grown defence gear and to observe Agniveers being trained. Prior to leaving New Delhi, he is also scheduled to meet Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan.

India and Cambodia have shared centuries old cultural, religious and people to people connect. Cambodia remains a key partner in India’s ‘Act East’ policy. Both nations share cordial relations in the field of defence and security. Defence Cooperation between both countries is governed by Bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement signed in 2007.

Military relations between India and Cambodia have grown over the recent past and are planned to expand in various fields such as training cooperation, Counter-IED, demining and UN Peacekeeping. Bilateral mechanism between both the Armies is being institutionalised by means of Army to Army Staff Talks which will enhance the defence cooperation between the two countries.

Direct relationship with the present day Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) was established by the Indian Battalions (1 ASSAM Regt and 4 JAK RIF) forming part of UNTAC (UN Transition Authority in Cambodia) after the Paris Peace accord in 1991. Defence Minister Singh’s visit to Cambodia in June 2018 and November 2022 provided fresh impetus to further elevate the bilateral defence cooperation to a higher level, India’s Ministry of Defence noted.