REAM NAVAL BASE, Cambodia — Indian Navy Ship INS Kulish is scheduled to arrive at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base today, marking the first-ever port call by an Indian naval warship to this facility. This historic arrival highlights the deepening defense ties between New Delhi and Phnom Penh and demonstrates a mutual commitment to maritime security cooperation in the region.
The port call takes place within the framework of the ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation 2026, an initiative endorsed by regional leaders to enhance practical collaboration across maritime security, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), and the sustainable blue economy. For India, engaging with Southeast Asian partners remains an essential component of its broader Act East policy and the regional security doctrine overseen by the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
Bilateral Defense Ties Highlighted by INS Kulish Ream Naval Base Call
Defense relations between India and Cambodia have steadily expanded in recent years through structured training exchanges, institutional visits, and capacity-building programs. The arrival of INS Kulish at Ream Naval Base builds upon this operational momentum, reflecting an effort to establish a more routine and institutionalized naval partnership.
During the port call, personnel from the Indian Navy and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) are scheduled to conduct professional interaction sessions, operational debriefs, and shared training exchanges. These activities focus on best practices in coastal surveillance, disaster management coordination, and maritime domain awareness across regional sea corridors.
Strategic Role of Ream Naval Base in Maritime Diplomacy
Situated along the Gulf of Thailand in Preah Sihanouk province, Ream Naval Base serves as an essential coastal operational facility. Welcoming foreign naval vessels aligns with Cambodia’s ongoing foreign policy approach of constructive neutrality and multilateral defense engagement, complementing ongoing regional infrastructure initiatives such as Cambodia’s transport and logistics development programs.
The port call of INS Kulish to Ream Naval Base reaffirms the shared interest of both nations in maintaining open, peaceful, and lawful sea lanes across the Indo-Pacific, setting a precedent for sustained naval engagement between India and Cambodia.
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