The naval exercise starts from today, the countries of the quad will join from tomorrow

- This is the first phase of the exercise, which will take place amid tensions with China

- America will also join Japan and Australia

New Delhi Dated 3rd November 2020 Tuesday

Amid ongoing tensions with China in eastern Ladakh, the Malabar naval exercise will begin today. Quad countries America, Japan and Australia will also join India in this exercise tomorrow.

The exercise is scheduled to take place in the Bay of Bengal near the Visakhapatnam coast. India had sent a strong message to China to abandon its efforts to establish a foothold in the Indo-Pacific region. India invited Australia to stop China from invading the area and Australia accepted. Indian Navy spokesperson Vivek Madhwal said the 24th edition of the Malabar Naval Exercise was scheduled for 2020 in two phases.

The exercise, which starts today, will run till November 6 and will also involve the United States, Japan and Australia. China had speculated that there was talk of a Malabar exercise but in reality the exercise was unlikely to take place. These countries were doing such things to increase their presence in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. The Malabar exercise began in 1992 with the joint efforts of the Indian and US navies. The exercise, which started today, was in its 24th year. Japan joined the two in 2015. Now Australia was participating.

In addition to the Indian Navy, the United States Navy, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Royal Australian Navy of Australia are participating in the exercise. The second phase of the exercise will also be held this month, a navy spokesman said.