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New Delhi: The high-voltage Malabar exercise featuring the navies of all four Quad nations – India, the US, Australia and Japan – began off the coast of Guam on Thursday in the backdrop of the four countries’ resolve to work towards a free and open India. In view of China’s expansionist behavior in the Pacific.
Several complex exercises involving warships, aircraft and helicopters will be conducted during the four-day exercise conducted by the US Navy in the western Pacific, officials said.
He said the Indian Navy has deployed its stealth frigate INS Shivalik, anti-submarine frigate INS Kadmat and a fleet of P8I maritime surveillance aircraft.
The 25th edition of the Malabar exercise is taking place amid growing convergence of interests in the maritime domain among the four Quad countries.
“Malabar-21 will witness complex exercises including anti-surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare exercises, and other maneuvers and tactical exercises. Indian Navy Spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said the exercise would provide an opportunity to the participating navies to benefit from each other’s expertise and experiences.
In a dialogue session at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Commander Admiral John Aquilino of the US Indo-Pacific Command on Wednesday talked about the major challenges facing the Indo-Pacific and China’s rapid military build-up, including in the maritime sector. Got engrossed.
Admiral Aquilino also hinted at the possibility of an increase in the number of participants in the Malabar naval exercise, if the leaders of the four participating countries agree.
Following India’s invitation, Australia participated in the Malabar exercise last year, which effectively made it an exercise by all four member states of the Quad.
China has been skeptical about the purpose of the Malabar exercise as it feels the annual war games are an attempt to control its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Malabar exercise began in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between the Indian Navy and the US Navy in the Indian Ocean.
Japan became a permanent member of the exercise in 2015. This annual exercise was conducted off the coast of Guam in 2018 and off the coast of Japan in 2019.
Last year, the exercise was conducted in two phases in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
Global concerns are growing about China’s growing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
India, America, Australia, Japan and many other like-minded countries are working towards ensuring a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
Read also: Indian Navy to deploy 4 frontline warships in early August in next edition of Malabar exercise
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