Malabar is an annual military exercise between the navies of India, Japan and the U.S. held alternately in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Some of the drills which will be honed during the exercises are submarine familiarisation, high-value unit defence, air defence exercises, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare exercises and communications exercises. China had issued a demarche to New Delhi questioning the intent behind the war games, which forced India to abandon the expansion at that time. Australia has been keen to join the games on a permanent basis, which has so far not fructified due to India’s reluctance. Canberra had requested for observer status at this year’s games which was rejected by New Delhi.

Source: The Hindu July 13, 2017 00:33 UTC