The Indian government is to invite Australia to take part in the Malabar Naval exercise an exercise that has so far included just Japan and the U.S. This has been done despite the possibility of facing strong objections from China. This decision comes after the recent escalation of border tensions with China, and will be the first time that the Quad – which is the term denoting these regional members – are convening for a military drill. A formal invitation is expected to be extended from India’s side to the Australian government next week, following final government clearance and consultations with the U.S. and Japan.
The Quad was revived in 2017, which was formed in 2004 in the aftermath of tsunami, to help the nations in the Indo-Pacific region combat its after-effects.
“The timing of India potentially letting Australia into Malabar would be especially significant at this juncture,” said Derek Grossman, a researcher at the Washington-based RAND Corporation who worked in the U.S. intelligence community for more than a decade. “It would send a significant message to China that the Quad — U.S., Australia, Japan, and India — are de facto conducting joint naval exercises, even if not technically conducted under the auspices of a Quad event.”
In a video conference between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian PM Scott Morrison in June, the long-pending Mutual Logistics Support Agreement was signed and also elevated their partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Source: Economic Times