Malabar exercise underway

Amidst rising tensions between India and China, the former has joined US and Japan to participate in a series of complex war games. The Malabar Naval Exercise-2017 has officially kicked off both in Chennai, India and in the Bay of Bengal.

This is the 21^st edition of the Malabar Exercise.

Background

The Malabar exercise actually has its roots in 1990s when it was conducted as a joint exercise between the United States and India. After India tested nuclear weapons in 1998, the US suspended the program for a few years. It re-started again in 2002.

The objective of the exercise is to better naval capacities and to strengthen personal ties with one another.

In the past, non-permanent countries like Australia and Singapore have also participated in this exercise. In 2015, Japan was officially inducted as a permanent partner.

Analysis

The current edition is occurring at a time when all three nations are grappling with increased regional tensions. The US and Japan are working on hedging the threat posed by North Korea while India is on a stand-off with China.

During this exercise, the three countries will be using some of their most powerful naval assets. While India is showcasing the modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier, Vikramaditya, the Japanese will display their helicopter carrier, Izumo. Americans on the other hand have brought Nimitz, the supercarrier to the Bay of Bengal.

Though Australia wanted to participate in this exercise as an “official observer”, India denied its request. Australia had participated in the 2007 exercise but withdrew after Beijing expressed security concerns. 

It is quite obvious that the country that might feel intimidated by this exercise is China. Diplomatic ties between India and China is currently tense as a scuffle had broken between the troops in Doklam plateau. Chinese media has even touted the prospect of an imminent military conflict if Indian troops do not withdraw.

Similarly, China is going through a rough patch with the US. Both Japan and the US have strongly urged China to take a more proactive role in curtailing the actions of North Korea. US President Donald Trump has also expressed his frustration with China publicly through his Twitter platform. During a recent conversation with Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping raised a complaint about the “negative” turn in the relationship between US and China.

This tension has further escalated after US B-1B bombers flew over the South China Sea.

Assessment

Our assessment is that the exercise will be projected as a trilateral one and not directed against any third country. There are many geopolitical interests in the region and it would be better to ensure that we have friendly relationships with our eastern neighbor.  China has officially said that it has no objections to the Malabar exercise.