US Senators welcome India's decision to include Australia for Exercise Malabar

A group of US Senators welcomed India’s decision to formally invite Australia for annual Excercise Malabar for first time amid China’s rising military and ecomic assertiveness in Indo-Pacific. In a letter to Indian Ambassor to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Senators said that strengning of Qu,  a strategic alliance formed to ensure peace and stability in Indo-Pacific, has become "increasingly important."

“As world dresses fallout caused by COVID-19 pandemic, China has opportunistically looked to expand its military footprint across Indo- Pacific,” letter re.

Excercise Malabar, which started as a bilateral Indian Navy-US Navy exercise in 1992 and included Japan in 2015, will witness inclusion of Australian Navy for first time in 2020. India, Australia, US, and Japan will participate in Naval exercise expected to held in Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea in two phases later this year, featuring all members of Qu group.

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Earlier this week, Defence Ministry said in a statement that Australian Navy has been invited to exercise in light of increased defence cooperation with Australia. It furr stated that India seeks to increase cooperation with or countries in maritime security domain. On backdrop of coronavirus pandemic, Malabar 2020 has been planned on a ‘n-contact - at sea’ format.

“ participants of Exercise Malabar 2020 are engaging to enhance safety and security in maritime domain. y collectively support free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and remain committed to a rules based international order,” statement re.

Call for a coordinated effort

US Senators said that United States has signalled its increased commitment to region with newly proposed Pacific Deterrence Initiative, which will complement Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (ARIA) to provide a more robust military presence. However, y ded that solitary actions will t sufficiently dress se ever-evolving security challenges, calling for coordinated efforts among committed and capable partners. letter was signed by US Senators David A Perdue, Marsha Blackburn, Chris Coons, John Cornyn, Kevin Cramer, Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, James Lankford, Kelly Loeffler, Martha McSally, Marco Rubio, Dan Sullivan, Thom Tillis, and Mark Warner.

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(With ANI inputs)