Updated: October 19, 2020 10:30:01 pm
Exercise Malabar began in 1992 as a bilateral drill between the Indian Navy and the United States Navy in the Indian Ocean. (Source: Indian Navy)
India announced on Monday that Australia will join the next Malabar exercise, which means that all four member countries of the ‘Quad’ or Quadrilateral coalition will participate in the mega drill.
The United States and Japan are the other countries participating in the annual exercise, which will likely take place next month in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
India’s decision to heed Australia’s request to be part of the naval mega drill comes amid growing tension in ties with China over the border row in eastern Ladakh.
“As India seeks to increase cooperation with other countries in the field of maritime security and in light of increased defense cooperation with Australia, Malabar 2020 will see the participation of the Australian Navy,” the Defense Ministry said at a release.
He said the exercise has been planned in a ‘contactless – at sea’ format.
“The exercise will strengthen coordination between the navies of the participating countries,” the ministry said.
China has been suspicious about the purpose of the Malabar exercise, as it feels the annual war game is an effort to contain its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Exercise Malabar began in 1992 as a bilateral drill between the Indian Navy and the United States Navy in the Indian Ocean. Japan became a permanent participant in the exercise in 2015.
Over the past few years, Australia has shown great interest in joining the exercise.
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