Australia, along with Japan and the United States, will be involved in the Malabar Naval Exercise

New delhi date. 19 October 2020, Monday

The Narendra Modi government has invited Australia for the annual Malabar Naval Exercise next month. Japan and the United States have already confirmed their involvement. On the one hand, India's move will strengthen QUAD, while on the other hand, China's uneasiness will increase. This is the first time that each member of the QUAD will be involved in a military exercise together.

This is being planned at a time when tensions are running high on the border between India and China. Naval troops from India, Japan, Australia and the United States will conduct a joint exercise in the Bay of Bengal at the end of the year through the Malabar military exercise.

According to those involved in the case, the Malabar war games will be conducted in two parts. The study will take place first between 3-6 November and then between 17-20 November. The common interest of the four countries is a free and independent Indo-Pacific region.

"India wants to enhance cooperation with other countries in the field of maritime security and the Australian Navy will also be involved in Malabar 2020 in view of the growing defense cooperation with Australia," the defense ministry said in a statement. This time the study has been prepared for non-contact at sea format. Cooperation and coordination between the navies of the countries involved in the study will be strengthened.

The study between India, Japan, USA and Australia is going to take place after the QUAD Foreign Ministers meeting. The foreign ministers of the four countries held talks in Tokyo on October 6. India last invited Australia in 2007 as a non-permanent partner.