25 November 2024, NIICE Commentary 9753
Kashif Anwar
The development in the Indo-Pacific region has the potential to undermine the global order that has been observed to date. Any events, initiatives, actions, or the formation of blocs have the capacity to destabilise the global order system. The Indo-Pacific region encompasses 29.4% of global landmass, 46% of global merchandise trade, 62% of the world’s GDP, 52 nations, 5.9 billion people, and numerous seas, including the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. Consequently, any occurrences in the Indo-Pacific region cannot be disregarded, as a shift in power and influence has commenced from the West to the East, establishing a new center of power in the region.
In this context, the Malabar Exercise and nations such as the US, China, Australia, Japan, and India have emerged as important players in the Indo-Pacific region geopolitics in recent years. Thus, interactions, bilateral relations, and actions and responses from these countries to any developments occurring or led by any one of them are being closely monitored to ensure they do not impact the Indo-Pacific region’s peace and stability. The exercise has been recognized as a significant maritime activity in the Indo-Pacific region and has seen Canada (2006) and Singapore (2007) joining. The 2024 Malabar Exercise – which span over 11 days – was directed to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region and has promoted the Allies and Partner’s collective planning and integration of advanced warfare tactics.
What is the Malabar Exercise?
The Malabar exercise, which commenced in 1992 as a bilateral naval exercise between the US and India, has since expanded to include Australia and Japan, with the aim of ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The exercise is designed to strengthen interoperability among the navies of all four participating nations and address shared maritime interests and challenges in the region. The continuation of the Malabar exercise has enabled members to assess developments occurring in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean regions and perform tasks such as military and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
Given the evolving geopolitical landscape in the region, numerous European countries and the European Union conducted military exercises in collaboration with the US, India, Japan, and Australia in the region. Such developments, coupled with the need to counter China and ensure regional security and cooperation, could be addressed via the Malabar exercise. Consequently, the necessity for a shared commitment among the participant countries has been evident on various occasions. The 28th edition of the Malabar exercise was held in Vishakhapatnam, India, between 8-18 October 2024, and serves as a testament to the commitment to fostering mutual understanding and maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Why is such an exercise needed?
As the exercise, which started as a bilateral military exercise between the US and India in 1992, experienced a brief hiatus between 1996-2002 due to India’s Nuclear Programme and Tests. However, alterations in the geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific, enhanced diplomatic relations, and increased understanding and cooperation among the United States, India, Japan, and Australia, coupled with China’s rise and assertive approach, have rendered the Malabar Exercise a cornerstone of cooperation among QUAD members. However, both QUAD and the Malabar Exercise are primarily motivated by the objective of ensuring freedom of navigation for all nations in the region. Malabar, as a multilateral naval exercise, evaluates and addresses the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region that impacts the national and strategic interests of participating members.
Conversely, the exercise aims to uphold the rules-based global order, respect for the rule of law, and freedom of navigation in global waters, and maintain the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all nations as essential principles. Over time, the necessity of such an exercise has become integral to the Indo-Pacific region, as it has enabled QUAD members to safeguard their national interests. This is particularly relevant considering the growing security concerns in the region, exemplified by regular visits of Chinese surveillance vessels like Xiang Yang Hong 01 to the Indian Ocean region, increasing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, and the recently concluded Russia-China ‘Ocean 24’ military exercise in the northern Pacific Ocean region.
The Key Takeaway from the 2024 exercise
The 2024 Malabar Exercise, conducted in Vishakhapatnam, the headquarters of India’s Eastern Naval Command, saw naval forces from the US, India, Japan, and Australia engaged in various military activities, drills, and tasks. The Malabar exercise which is divided into two phases: the harbour phase, which occurred from October 8 to October 13, and the sea phase, which took place off the coast of Vishakhapatnam from October 14 to October 18. The exercise featured naval warships, embarked integral helicopters, and long-range maritime patrol aircraft from all four navies, demonstrating a high level of collaboration and operational synergy.
As the objectives and tactics of the 2024 Malabar Exercise have proven advantageous for India at a time when the growing Chinese naval presence in the Indian subcontinent has raised concerns. In recent years, China’s militarisation of artificial islands in the South China Sea, such as the deployment of counter-stealth radar and anti-ship missile batteries to fortify Triton Island, has alarmed the US. Similarly, the deployment of forces followed by the construction of airfields and military infrastructure by China along the India-China border following the Galwan Valley clash in 2020 has prompted India to view developments in the South China Sea region and on the border in conjunction.
The exercise incorporated high-intensity drills, featuring rigorous anti-submarine warfare and air defence exercises, as well as situational awareness training, to demonstrate the participants’ commitment to the exercise and regional security. As Australia and Japan participated in the Malabar exercise for the fifth time, having previously been absent due to domestic issues and the nature of their relationships with China. The participation of Australia and Japan alongside India and the US in this year’s edition of the Malabar exercise provided them an opportunity to address criticisms levelled against the QUAD concerning their commitment to the exercise and regional and maritime security. This year’s edition demonstrated the consistent high-level participation from all four navies, which has become a hallmark of the Malabar exercise, and further strengthened India’s role as an advocate of maritime stability and resilience.
The 2024 Malabar Exercise was anticipated to be the ‘most comprehensive’ iteration, featuring complex operational scenarios, as the exercise occurred following significant decisions made by QUAD members. During the 2024 QUAD summit held in the US in September, Australia,
India, Japan, and the US made several major decisions that will contribute to ensuring stability and security under QUAD and the Malabar Exercise in the Indo-Pacific region in the coming years. The QUAD members took a decision to have the first ever ‘Quad-at-sea ship observer mission involving the coast guard in 2025 and establish Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific and Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness to maximise their naval operation capabilities in the region.
Conclusion
As the four navies conduct intensive drills off India’s eastern coast, they collectively convey a message of resolve and the shared ambition to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Strategic alignment and resilience-building, the Indian Navy’s proactive engagement with the US, Australia, and Japan under the Malabar Exercise highlights a broader ambition to champion a rules-based order and reinforce peace and prosperity amid shifting dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region. Malabar Exercise, India’s role has evolved from that of a participant to a key strategic driver, shaping the QUAD’s long-term security focus while underscoring India’s commitment to regional stability. The Indian Navy’s role within the QUAD has continued to expand, with the Malabar exercise serving as a critical platform for advancing India’s maritime objectives. As the 2024 Malabar Exercise encapsulates this evolving commitment, positioning QUAD as a significant force for regional security and emphasize India’s influence within the group.
Kashif Anwar is a Research Analyst and Contributor Writer at Global Strategic & Defense News. He contributes research, policy briefs, and papers that enhance the understanding of geopolitical dynamics and global security issues.
