Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met with Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, Tea Seiha, in Kuala Lumpur on October 31. According to Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell, the meeting included a discussion about the Kuala Lumpur Accords, which were signed by President Trump and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. Both leaders recognized the role played by ASEAN Observer Teams in maintaining a ceasefire.
During the meeting, Secretary Hegseth reaffirmed the United States' commitment to security partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, including its relationship with Cambodia. He also announced plans to resume ANGKOR SENTINEL, a bilateral military exercise between the United States and Cambodia that had previously been suspended. The two officials expressed interest in identifying shared defense priorities and strengthening defense cooperation.
Additionally, they discussed potential opportunities for Secretary Hegseth to participate in an upcoming U.S. naval ship visit to Ream Naval Base.
Sean Parnell stated: "On October 31, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met with Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, Tea Seiha, in Kuala Lumpur. Both leaders welcomed the Kuala Lumpur Accords signed by President Trump and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and acknowledged the important role of ASEAN Observer Teams in maintaining a durable ceasefire."
"Secretary Hegseth reiterated the United States' commitment to security partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, including with Cambodia. Secretary Hegseth announced his intent to resume ANGKOR SENTINEL, a premier bilateral military exercise with Cambodia. Both leaders signaled a willingness to explore shared defense priorities and discussed opportunities to strengthen defense cooperation. The two leaders discussed Secretary Hegseth joining a future U.S. naval ship visit to Ream Naval Base."
