India and Australia, however, stayed firm, a sharp contrast from 2007 when several countries that had participated in the naval exercise eventually backed down in face of China’s protests. Beijing’s approach in Ladakh has convinced India that it needs to be prepared for similar Chinese aggression in the high seas. This year’s Malabar exercise - that mirrors the deepening strategic ties within QUAD - is one step. “It is a tectonic shift in the regional power balance,” he said. Australia’s participation in the Malabar war games is considered significant given its geopolitical role in the Indo-Pacific region.

Source: Hindustan Times November 16, 2020 07:50 UTC