Australia To Join India, US, And Japan In Large Naval Exercises

Ships from the Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the US Navy sail in formation during Malabar 2018 in the Philippine Sea. 

The Independent: Australia to join naval military drills with US, Japan and India in major challenge to China 

First full joint exercises of ‘Quad’ nations in more than 10 years come deteriorating relations between members and Beijing Amid its ongoing military standoff with China in Ladakh, India has announced that Australia will join it, the US and Japan in naval exercises for the first time in 13 years. 

The last time the annual Malabar naval drills included all four of the Asia-Pacific “Quad” nations was in 2007, after which Australia stopped attending due to strong protests from Beijing. 

The drills, first founded by India and the US in 1992, were held off Japan in 2019 and off the US territory of Guam in 2018. 

This year’s exercises are expected to be held in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. 

A statement by the Indian government said the Australian navy’s participation comes as it seeks to increase cooperation with other countries over maritime security. It also comes in the light of broader strengthening of defence cooperation within the Quad. 

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WNU Editor: Chinese media is discounting this exercise .... QUAD members fight for interests with each other: Global Times editorial. 

 More News On Australia Joining India, US, And Japan In Large Naval Exercises 

Australia to join India, US, Japan in large naval exercises -- CNN 

Australia will join naval drills involving the US, Japan and India -- Reuters 

Malabar naval drills: it’s Australia, India, the US and Japan challenging China, analysts say -- SCMP Eyeing China, Australia joins ‘Quad’ drill with US, Japan, India -- Al Jazeera 

Australia adds clout to QUAD naval exercises -- Asia Times 

What is Malabar military drill and why it concerns China -- Times of India 

Factbox: What is the Malabar exercise, and why is it significant? -- Reuters

Will A U.S. - Japan - Australia - India Alliance Be Established To Face China?

Australia could join a trade organisation called 'The Quad' with the US, Japan and India following a proposal by the US government

Daily Mail: Australia could join forces with the US, Japan and India to create an alliance named 'The Quad' to reduce reliance on trade with China

* Australia could form economic bloc dubbed 'The Quad' with US, Japan and India
* US state official said the four-way country grouping could fill Indo-Pacific region
* Added South Korea, Vietnam and New Zealand could eventually join the alliance
* The US said 'The Quad' could protect against 'a potential challenge from China'
* Move comes amid rising tensions between the Australian government and China

Australia could join a proposed economic alliance dubbed 'The Quad' with the US, Japan and India to reduce reliance on trade with China as tensions between Canberra and Beijing reach new heights.

US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun has proposed the four-country grouping as a way of filling a trade power vacuum in the Indo-Pacific region.

He added Washington could eventually invite South Korea, Vietnam and New Zealand to join the alliance.

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Update #1: With eye on China, U.S. aims to 'formalize' four-nation 'Quad' security grouping (Japan times)
Update #2: How China Strengthens the Quad (The Diplomat)

WNU Editor: I can easily see scores of other Asian countries joining such an alliance. South Korea, New Zealand, Vietnam, maybe the Philippines and Indonesia to name a few.