WAR GAME OF INDIA - JAPAN - US NAVIES - MALABAR EXERCISE

The Malabar exercise takes place every year – so it is a regular naval Engagement . But the 2017 iteration is significant for many reasons. First, the exercise between India-Japan-US comes against the backdrop of a tense face-off with China in Dokalam at the trijunction of India, Bhutan and China. India and China  involved and bogged down in an almost month-long stand-off in Doklam plateau of Bhutan. The ongoing tensionsis due to  construction of a road by China in Bhutan’s Doklam region. 

Bhutan had  protested China’s action, and sought India’s help. Indian Army then moved to the area of construction, stopping Chinese activity. Experts are of the view that with the construction of this road, China hopes to spy on and isolate & control Siliguri corridor and cut North East India from the main land . This corridor is also known as the Chicken’s Neck. Amidst this ongoing war of words,

China is known for childish and arrogant act of revenge ,which they expresses in different way. Like -China  sent a submarine to the Indian Ocean reason probably for New Delhi’s refusal to join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in May which upset Beijing, This followed by  Chinese incursion on the Eastern border. 

The Malabar is being seen as an opportunity for India to strike back in a hard-posture in a place where it sees  a strategic advantage over China .Large number of  warships,  submarines and about 100 aircraft are taking part in the trilateral maritime exercise in the Bay of Bengal between India-US-Japan which  has kicked off in blistering style  in the backdrop of ongoing tensions between India and China at Indo China boarder and Japan- US and China tension at south China sea .. Malabar is an annual exercise which – has always been a point of irritation for China. Originally, Malabar was a bilateral exercise between the Indian  and the US Navy, but in 2015, Japan became a permanent member, adding to China’s problem .

Malabar for 2017 is significant for multiple reasons – first ,, it comes at a time when China is escalating tensions at Doklam in Bhutan. Second , this year’s Malabar exercise focusing on submarine hunting and anti-submarine warfare – a fact that assumes importance after recent reports of Chinese submarine being spotted in the Indian Ocean.Third, the south China sea where China is showing! their high harness .

The trilateral naval drill is being held at a time when the Chinese Navy  is increasing its presence in the Indian Ocean – Chinese warships have been regularly visiting Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar . As per reports  the presence of a Chinese submarine and an intelligence ship near  India’s maritime boundary days before the start of Malabar are being seen as a sign of China’s growing nervousness  . China also strengthening China-Pakistan maritime axis in South Asia  for securing  China Pakistan Economic Corridor,

India thus able to send  a strong signal to China, particularly when  India-US-Japan are focusing on submarine hunting expertise for this particular year’s exercise. US has a lot of expertise in this area, which would be very useful to tackle China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean region. China doesn’t like multilateral exercises near the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal regions, and if in the future, Australia too participates, then the dragon would have more reasons to worry, 

India, Japan and the US have deployed big contingents for the exercise – including aircraft carriers, guided missile destroyers and submarines – could be a warning to Beijing to keep its poweress in check. 

Japan’s growing security role in Asia has become of great importance in the present scenario. Recently in a arrogant  act , China objected to Japan’s new Helicopter carrier, Izumo being on a prolonged deployment in the South China Sea.Surprisingly same ship has now joined  at Malabar . This  underlines some definite message to  China .Cleverly India made it clear that   Indian navy will closely work with friendly nations in defending its sea routes & Trade interests.Also unless provoked. It will not react .

In to days power game equilibrium , the  applicable principle is first self interest then allies interest .India can not trust US blindly .India has to be on its own feet .It is all together a psychological war game .Even as India looks to limit China’s aggression, at least in the maritime domain, we should be cautious about the extent to which we should depend on US . Because present US policies are unpredictable .

Though in recent joint  statement between Modi and Trump , it is  emphasized to increase cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region . Thats good , but ,Trump is unpredictable. After one year, he may just decide that China is very important for America’s interests. 

Australia is  dependent on China, so India cannot take its support for granted , though they expresses interest in joining the Malabar exercise However India should continue to show it's power to China, without taking in to account either Australia or US .The only country which can support India militarily, and also for its own interests, is Japan

Malabar 2017 is aimed at strengthening mutual confidence and inter-operability ,as well as sharing of best and latest practices between the Indian, Japanese and US Navies. This exercise is a indication of  joint commitment of all three democratic nations to address common maritime problem and challenges together in the Indian Ocean & in the Indo-Pacific region, for  global maritime peace and security .

Malabar 2017 for sure shall send strong message to  China’s  but India should not depend much on their friend rather  built up its own defence preparedness to avoid put side  supports

ITS A DELICATE GAME !