The Malabar exercises started in 1992 as drills between the US and Indian navies. Japan has participated permanently since 2015 and this year Australia is joining for the first time in 13 years in response to what it views as China’s increasingly aggressive stance in the region.
Beijing has also been concerned by the actions of the US and its allies in the region. China recently condemned Washington’s military exercises in the South and East China Seas as well as attempts to build strategic alliances with regional partners, including the sale of arms to Taiwan.
Further Malabar drills will take place later in November in the Arabian Sea.
