Navy to join Quad allies for 25th Malabar exercises in Western Pacific
Apart from India, navies from the United States, Australia and Japan will be a part of the exercise. All these four countries will be carrying out the maritime wargame for the second consecutive year. Last year, the Japanese Navy had participated in the exercise after a gap of 13 years.
FollowAmid the ongoing border standoff with China, the Indian Navy and other navies from the Quad grouping will conduct the 25th edition of the Malabar exercise in the Western Pacific with an aim to further enhance their profile in the strategically key sea lanes.
Apart from India, navies from the United States, Australia and Japan will be a part of the exercise. All these four countries will be carrying out the maritime wargame for the second consecutive year. Last year, the Japanese Navy had participated in the exercise after a gap of 13 years. Â Â
Indian Navy's warships, including guided-missile destroyer Ranvijay, guided-missile frigate Shivalik, anti-submarine corvette Kadmatt and guided-missile corvette Kora, are on an overseas deployment to the South China Sea, Western Pacific and South East Asia for the next two months.Â
"In the course of their deployment, the ships will participate in the next edition of the Malabar exercise alongside the navies of Japan, Australia, the US in the Western Pacific," Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said.
Beijing has been sceptical about the Quad groupings as it feels that the naval drill is being conducted to contain its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Indian warships are also scheduled to participate in the bilateral exercises with the navies of Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and Australia.
"In pursuit of India’s ‘Act East’ policy and to enhance military cooperation with friendly countries, a Task Force of Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet is scheduled to proceed on an Overseas Deployment to South East Asia, the South China Sea and Western Pacific from early August for over two months," he said.Â
The deployment of the Indian Navy ships seeks to underscore the operational reach peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly countries towards ensuring good order in the maritime domain and to strengthen existing bonds between India and countries of the Indo Pacific, Madhwal added.
During the deployment in the Indo Pacific, the ships are scheduled to participate in bilateral exercises with Royal Malaysian Navy (Samudra Laxmana), Vietnamese Peoples’ Navy, Republic of Philippines Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy (SIMBEX), Indonesian Navy (Samudra Shakti) and Royal Australian Navy (AUS-INDEX).
