India's relation with Thailand and Cambodia. Crossroads and differences.

Thailand and Cambodia exchanged fire between it's armed forces, as they fire artillery at each other over border dispute. The Thai Health Ministry (on 25 July 2025) said more than 58,000 have fled from villages to temporary shelters in four affected border provinces, while Cambodian authorities said more than 23,000 people have evacuated from areas near the border. Also, United Nations (UN) Security Council held an emergency meeting behind closed doors on 25 July 2025 in New York, while Malaysia, which chairs the 10-nation regional bloc that includes both countries, called for an end to hostilities and offered to mediate. Let's understand how the relations of Thailand and Cambodia have fared with India across the period of time.

The historical connections between India, Thailand, and Cambodia stretch back over two millennia, woven through the threads of religion, culture, language, and trade. These three nations—each a civilizational cradle in its own right—have shared, adapted, and reinterpreted cultural influences, especially those emanating from the Indian subcontinent. While their paths have diverged in modern times due to differing political systems and geopolitical alignments, the foundation of their relationships remains rooted in a common cultural heritage and a mutual respect for sovereignty and development.

India–Thailand: A Fusion of Culture and Strategic Convergence

The relationship between India and Thailand dates back to at least the 1st century CE, primarily through maritime trade and the spread of religion. Hinduism and Theravada Buddhism flowed into Southeast Asia via Indian merchants, monks, and scholars. Over the centuries, Indian influence seeped into Thai culture so deeply that it became part of the Thai identity. Indian epics like the Ramayana were reimagined in local form - the Thai version, known as Ramakien, remains central to Thai literature and performing arts. Sanskrit was used extensively, and Indian-style temples, rituals, and dance became integral to the cultural fabric of Thailand.

In modern times, India and Thailand formally established diplomatic relations in 1947. The bilateral relationship has since evolved to encompass strong defense cooperation, especially in maritime security across the Indo-Pacific. The two countries conduct joint military exercises such as MAITREE and SITMEX, and collaborate in areas including counterterrorism, cyber security, and naval interoperability. Thailand also plays a key role in India’s Act East Policy and has generally supported India’s growing regional role within ASEAN frameworks. India sent humanitarian aid during its earthquake disaster by launching Ops Brahma.

India–Cambodia: A Relationship Rooted in Civilization and Rebuilding

Cambodia’s ties with India are perhaps even older and more deeply civilizational. Ancient kingdoms such as Funan, Chenla, and later the Khmer Empire were heavily “Indianized,” adopting Hindu and Buddhist religious traditions, Sanskrit language, Indian-style governance, and temple architecture. The crown jewel of this connection is Angkor Wat, originally a Hindu temple complex dedicated to Vishnu before becoming a Buddhist site—its layout and artistic style bearing unmistakable marks of Indian influence. Sanskrit inscriptions, Indian epics, and administrative models flourished during this era, leaving a cultural imprint that endures in Cambodian heritage.

Formal diplomatic relations between India and Cambodia were established in 1952, but their relationship deepened particularly in the post-conflict period. India played a constructive role in Cambodia’s peace and reconciliation process after the fall of the Khmer Rouge, supporting the United Nations Transitional Authority and contributing to capacity-building efforts. Over the years, India has provided educational scholarships through the ITEC program, restored heritage sites such as the Ta Prohm temple, and supported infrastructure development. While Cambodia is diplomatically closer to China in many respects, it has generally supported India’s engagement with ASEAN and appreciated India’s cultural diplomacy.

Common Threads: Shared Heritage, Shared Values

Despite differences in modern trajectories, Thailand and Cambodia share several commonalities in their relationships with India. Both countries were deeply influenced by Indian religions especially Theravada Buddhism, which arrived via India and Sri Lanka. They absorbed Indian languages, notably Sanskrit and Pali, and incorporated Indian aesthetics in temple art, literature, and governance structures. Even today, cultural diplomacy continues to be a bridge: India’s soft power through yoga, Buddhism, festivals, and historical conservation resonates strongly in both countries.

Both Thailand and Cambodia value India’s civilizational legacy and see it as a stabilizing and inclusive force in the region. They often support India’s aspirations for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council and acknowledge its growing geopolitical importance.

Diplomatic Stances and Strategic Engagements

On major international issues, Thailand and Cambodia have generally maintained a neutral or non-interventionist stance. As ASEAN members, they often refrain from taking firm positions on contentious matters like Kashmir or India’s nuclear policy. For instance, after India's nuclear tests in 1998, both expressed initial concerns but normalized relations shortly thereafter. They support India’s greater participation in global governance, including its push for UNSC reforms.

India, for its part, has followed a non-interference policy in the internal matters of both countries. It has refrained from commenting on Thailand’s periodic military coups or Cambodia’s political suppression under the long-standing leadership of Hun Sen. Instead, India emphasizes peace, stability, and development, especially within ASEAN-led mechanisms. India supported Cambodia’s peacebuilding process and continues to offer developmental assistance, focusing on human resource development and heritage conservation.

Key Differences: Diverging Strategic Priorities

Aspect	Thailand	Cambodia
Geopolitical Leaning	Balances between U.S., China, India	Increasingly aligned with China
Strategic Partnership	Stronger defense & naval ties with India	More economic/cultural, less strategic
Political Climate	Constitutional monarchy, semi-democracy	Authoritarian under Hun Sen
India’s Engagement	Maritime security, tourism, culture	Capacity building, temple conservation

While India’s ties with both Thailand and Cambodia are cordial and cooperative, there are notable differences in the depth and nature of these relationships.

Thailand’s geopolitical posture is more balanced. It maintains relationships with the United States, China, and India, seeking to navigate the region’s great power competition. Its strategic partnership with India is stronger, particularly in defense and maritime cooperation. Thailand actively participates in regional security dialogues and is part of India’s Indo-Pacific strategic vision.

Cambodia, by contrast, has increasingly aligned itself with China, especially in terms of economic dependence and political support. Its partnership with India is more focused on economic aid, temple conservation, and education, rather than strategic or defense collaboration. The Cambodian government’s close ties with China occasionally influence its stance in multilateral forums, sometimes limiting its support for India’s positions, such as on the South China Sea.

Politically, Thailand operates as a constitutional monarchy with a semi-democratic system, whereas Cambodia under Hun Sen has veered toward authoritarianism. These differing governance models also shape how each engages with India and the broader international community.

Present-Day Engagement and the Road Ahead

Today, both Thailand and Cambodia are integral to India’s Act East Policy, which seeks to enhance connectivity, trade, and strategic alignment with Southeast Asia. One of the most ambitious undertakings is the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway, which will eventually extend into Cambodia and Vietnam, fostering deeper regional integration.

Thailand continues to be a valuable partner in defense exercises and maritime initiatives, while Cambodia benefits from India’s development assistance and cultural cooperation. Both countries are involved in regional forums such as BIMSTEC, Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, and ASEAN, where India actively promotes inclusive regional development.

Conclusion: Civilizational Bonds and Contemporary Realities

India’s relationships with Thailand and Cambodia are anchored in a shared civilizational legacy that transcends temporal boundaries. While Thailand has emerged as a key strategic and maritime partner, Cambodia finds greater resonance in India’s developmental and cultural initiatives. Despite the differences in political climate and strategic alignment, both countries continue to value India’s global rise and its respect for sovereignty, non-interference, and regional stability. For India, both Thailand and Cambodia represent vital links in its vision for an interconnected and peaceful Indo-Pacific region, deeply rooted in historical ties yet evolving with the challenges of the 21st century.

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