India, US, Japan, Australia resume naval exercises
The four countries form the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or the Quad participated in naval exercises in the Northern Arabian Sea. Indian Navy via AP
The navies of India, the United States, Australia and Japan held exercises yesterday in the Northern Arabian Sea in the second phase of a naval drill seen as part of a regional initiative to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.
The Malabar naval exercise “highlights enhanced convergence of views amongst the four vibrant democracies on maritime issues,” India’s Defence Ministry said.
The navies of India, the United States, Australia and Japan held exercises in the Northern Arabian Sea in the second phase of a naval drill seen as part of a regional initiative to counter China's growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. Indian Navy via AP
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This is the second time that the four countries — an informal grouping known as the Quad — have participated in a combined military exercise of this size.
The first phase of the Malabar drill took place November 3-6 in the Bay of Bengal.
This phase consists of operations centered on the Indian navy’s Vikramaditya carrier battle group and the US Navy’s Nimitz carrier strike group, the ministry said.
The Australian frigate Ballarat, Japan's Murasame destroyer, and submarines and aircraft are also participating in the exercise.
READ MORE: Australia to bolster defence ties with Japan amid China's rise
Aircraft carriers and warships participate in the second phase of Malabar naval exercise, a joint exercise comprising of India, US, Japan and Australia, in the Northern Arabian Sea. Indian Navy via AP
READ MORE: Dramatic extension of Chinese military might
India has been locked for months in a military standoff with China along their disputed border. It hopes the exercise will act as a deterrent against Beijing, analysts say.
The Malabar exercise started in 1992 as a bilateral drill between the Indian and US navies. Japan joined in 2015. This year the Australian navy is participating for the first time since 2007.
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