The 24th edition of Malabar maritime exercise, hosted by Indian Navy in 2020, witnessed the participation by Indian Navy, United States Navy, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force and Royal Australian Navy.

Such news is nothing but the repetitive chunk that occurs every year with few or no new developments. Still, they are significant for the sake of information as Australia has joined it after several apprehensions.

 Question can be expected in CAPF, CDS or AFCAT exams.

About Ex. Malabar

• Exercise Malabar is a trilateral naval exercise involving the US, Japan and India as permanent partners.
• This year Australia has joined as a permanent partner.
• Originally begun in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the United States, Japan became a permanent partner in 2015.
• Past non-permanent participants are Australia and Singapore.
• The annual Malabar series began in 1992 and includes diverse activities, ranging from fighter combat operations from aircraft carriers through Maritime Interdiction Operations Exercises.

Significance of Australia’s inclusion

• Earlier, India had concerns that it would give the appearance of a “quadrilateral military alliance” aimed at China.
• Now both look forward to the cooperation in the ‘Indo-Pacific’ and the strengthening of defence ties.
• This has led to a convergence of mutual interest in many areas for a better understanding of regional and global issues.
• Both are expected to conclude the long-pending Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) as part of measures to elevate the strategic partnership.

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