U.S., Australian, Indian, and Japanese naval forces conduct the annual Malabar Malabar Joint Military Exercise on November 3, 2020 (U.S. Navy Photo)
Warships, aircraft, and military personnel from the United States, Japan, Australia, and India began the Malabar 2020 annual military exercise in the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday (Nov. 3, 2020) to demonstrate the four nations’ commitment to supporting an open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
The Indian Navy is hosting the 24th Malabar Military Exercise, a joint military exercise designed to advance the ability of the four nations’ militaries to plan, integrate, and execute high-end warfighting strategies, according to a statement from the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
The USS John S. McCain, a guided-missile destroyer, is representing the United States in the joint military exercise. Captain Cmdr Rayn T. Easterday said, “It is more important than ever to work together to maintain regional security and stability and deter challenges to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”
The Royal Australian Navy participated in this year’s annual Malabar Military Exercise for the first time since 2007. A Royal Navy commander said the multinational maritime exercise is an opportunity to build a coordinated operational capability with key regional partners India, Japan and the United States.
The Malabar Joint Maritime Exercise was initially a bilateral exercise between India and the United States, with Japan joining as a permanent member in 2017. Australia participated in the Malabar exercises in 2007, but Canberra did not return to the exercises after strong opposition from Beijing. In recent years, Australia has expressed willingness to participate in the exercises, but India has not agreed to participate because of concerns about Beijing’s attitude.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that China’s increasing assertiveness in the region makes it more important than ever for the four countries to work together to protect their allies and people from China’s “exploitation, corruption, and coercion.
The Chinese government accuses the United States of trying to use the Quartet to contain China’s development in Asia.
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