Exercise Malabar is an annual naval exercise which began in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the __________.

The correct answer is US.

Key Points

• Exercise Malabar is a multilateral naval exercise involving the navies of India, the US, Japan, and Australia.
• It initially began in 1992 as a bilateral naval exercise between India and the United States.
• The main focus of the exercise is to enhance cooperation and interoperability among participating navies in maritime operations.
• Japan joined the exercise as a permanent member in 2015, and Australia became a full participant in 2020, making it a quadrilateral event.
• Key areas covered in Exercise Malabar include anti-submarine warfare, air defense, maritime interdiction, and disaster relief operations.

Additional Information

• Quad Group:
  • The Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) consists of India, the US, Japan, and Australia.
  • The grouping focuses on maritime security, counter-terrorism, disaster management, and free trade in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • Exercise Malabar is one of the key defense collaborations under the Quad framework.
• Indo-Pacific Strategy:
  • The Indo-Pacific region is strategically important for global trade and security.
  • Exercise Malabar aligns with the Indo-Pacific strategy to ensure a rules-based international order and freedom of navigation.
  • It helps counter challenges like piracy, territorial disputes, and illegal maritime activities.
• Anti-Submarine Warfare:
  • Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) is a critical component of naval exercises like Malabar.
  • ASW involves detecting, tracking, and neutralizing enemy submarines using sonar, aircraft, and specialized naval vessels.
  • It ensures the security of naval fleets and maritime routes.
• Maritime Security:
  • Maritime security focuses on protecting sea lanes, addressing threats like piracy, and safeguarding coastal areas.
  • Exercises like Malabar enhance preparedness for humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and search-and-rescue operations.