India will be conducting a naval exercise with America. It is the clearest signal to China on a potential military alliance that it faces.&nbsp;

The naval exercise will be conducted by the USS Nimitz which is one the largest warships&nbsp;in the world and, it is nuclear powered.

The American battle groups will join Indian warships near the Andaman and Nicobar islands. It is India's response to China’s military aggression in the high seas.

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The Indian navy’s eastern fleet is carrying out a five-day long exercise off the coast of Andaman and Nicobar islands, today, the American ships joined them.&nbsp;

The exercise was quite similar to the one carried out with the Japanese navy last month. India will be conducting more drills in the Indian Ocean as it is expanding its alliance on the high seas.

Reports say India is now ready to extend an invitation to Australia for the Malabar exercise which is an annual affair. It involves training both at sea and on land. The participants are usually India, the United States and Japan.

Australia’s inclusion will be a clear signal that the quad is no more just a theory. It is taking clear shape with a clear mission. The quad or strategic quadrilateral involves four countries -&nbsp;India, Australia, Japan and the United States. It was conceptualised as a strategic counter to China in the Indo-Pacific.&nbsp;

It's been talked about for more than a decade, and Beijing has never liked the idea. Beijing calls it an "anti-China coalition". The members of the quad had been going slow to accommodate China's concerns and sensitivities but not anymore.

They are meeting in the Malabar exercise. In 2007, India had invited Australia and Singapore to join it and China was furious. It issued a demarche to the United States, India, Japan and Australia slamming the expansion of the exercise.

However, this time, India seems to have made up its mind. Australia will join the drill with quad now on the front-burner. India and its allies are gearing up to contain China from blocking Chinese apps, scrutinising Chinese companies and holding China accountable on global platforms - the pushback comes in many forms.

In the US, there is bipartisan support for India's role against China. A group of nine lawmakers from both parties have introduced a resolution which urges China to de-escalate through diplomatic means at the Ladakh border.

The moves and messages from America to Japan and Australia have clear implications for Beijing. Firstly, it shows India has allies and China has angry neighbours.

Secondly, it also demonstrates that India has global support and China will face retaliation if provoked. Also, all options - diplomatic, strategic and military are on the table when it comes to dealing with China.

India will be conducting a naval exercise with America. It is the clearest signal to China on a potential military alliance that it faces. The naval exercise will be conducted by the USS Nimitz which is one the largest warships in the world and, it is nuclear powered.

India will be conducting a naval exercise with America. It is the clearest signal to China on a potential military alliance that it faces. The naval exercise will be conducted by the USS Nimitz which is one the largest warships in the world and, it is nuclear powered. The American battle groups will join Indian warships near the Andaman and Nicobar islands. It is India's response to China’s military aggression in the high seas. The Indian navy’s eastern fleet is carrying out a five-day long exercise off the coast of Andaman and Nicobar islands, today, the American ships joined them. The exercise was quite similar to the one carried out with the Japanese navy last month. India will be conducting more drills in the Indian Ocean as it is expanding its alliance on the high seas. Reports say India is now ready to extend an invitation to Australia for the Malabar exercise which is an annual affair. It involves training both at sea and on land. The participants are usually India, the United States and Japan. Australia’s inclusion will be a clear signal that the quad is no more just a theory. It is taking clear shape with a clear mission. The quad or strategic quadrilateral involves four countries - India, Australia, Japan and the United States. It was conceptualised as a strategic counter to China in the Indo-Pacific. It's been talked about for more than a decade, and Beijing has never liked the idea. Beijing calls it an "anti-China coalition". The members of the quad had been going slow to accommodate China's concerns and sensitivities but not anymore. They are meeting in the Malabar exercise. In 2007, India had invited Australia and Singapore to join it and China was furious. It issued a demarche to the United States, India, Japan and Australia slamming the expansion of the exercise. However, this time, India seems to have made up its mind. Australia will join the drill with quad now on the front-burner. India and its allies are gearing up to contain China from blocking Chinese apps, scrutinising Chinese companies and holding China accountable on global platforms - the pushback comes in many forms. In the US, there is bipartisan support for India's role against China. A group of nine lawmakers from both parties have introduced a resolution which urges China to de-escalate through diplomatic means at the Ladakh border. The moves and messages from America to Japan and Australia have clear implications for Beijing. Firstly, it shows India has allies and China has angry neighbours. Secondly, it also demonstrates that India has global support and China will face retaliation if provoked. Also, all options - diplomatic, strategic and military are on the table when it comes to dealing with China.

US warship Nimitz to take part in naval exercise with India near Andaman and Nicobar islands

The India-US drills on the high seas is a move to deter China. In fact, naval power could be India's answer to Chinese aggression. The exercises help New Delhi to only project its power but, it also adds to Xi Jinping’s headaches.

The Indian Ocean neighbourhood from the Strait of Hormuz between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to the Strait of Malacca near the Andaman and Nicobar islands has more than 60 per cent of the world’s petroleum exports which moves from the shipping lane and India can choke China right there.

The Strait of Malacca has been a headache for China. In 2003, former Chinese president Hu Jintao had referred to it as “the Malacca dilemma" because China needs it open and India has the power to control it.

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The Malacca Strait is a shallow and narrow waterway. It is one of the most congested waterways in the world. Reports say around 75,000 ships pass through the Strait. It is also a seaway that links the Indian Ocean with the South China Sea and whoever controls it can place a stranglehold on China’s energy supplies.

In 2016, 80 per cent of China’s oil supplies passed through the Malacca Straits, if India were to control it, then China will lose access to a vital artery for global trade and Chinese ships will have to take a longer route.

According to an estimate, China’s shipping costs could increase by more than $64 million if the Strait of Malacca is closed for even a week, another estimate says alternative routes could cost Beijing anywhere between $84 to 220 billion a year.

A situation like that would add to China’s problems. It already faces a territorial dispute in the South China Sea and with tensions are growing last week as the United States declared that most of China's claims to the South China Sea illegal, New Delhi too has taken a stand.

The ministry of external affairs issued a statement which questioned China's attempts to grab territory in the South China Sea. China knows the Strait of Malacca is its achilles heel, so, it has been sending ships close to the Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Last year, Chinese naval vessel Shin Yang-1 was chased away by the Indian navy which was allegedly snooping near the islands. Now, with drills in the area, New Delhi has sent a message to Beijing that it won’t have its way on the high seas.

The India-US drills on the high seas is a move to deter China. In fact, naval power could be India's answer to Chinese aggression. The exercises help New Delhi to only project its power but, it also adds to Xi Jinping’s headaches.

The India-US drills on the high seas is a move to deter China. In fact, naval power could be India's answer to Chinese aggression. The exercises help New Delhi to only project its power but, it also adds to Xi Jinping’s headaches. The Indian Ocean neighbourhood from the Strait of Hormuz between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to the Strait of Malacca near the Andaman and Nicobar islands has more than 60 per cent of the world’s petroleum exports which moves from the shipping lane and India can choke China right there. The Strait of Malacca has been a headache for China. In 2003, former Chinese president Hu Jintao had referred to it as “the Malacca dilemma" because China needs it open and India has the power to control it. The Malacca Strait is a shallow and narrow waterway. It is one of the most congested waterways in the world. Reports say around 75,000 ships pass through the Strait. It is also a seaway that links the Indian Ocean with the South China Sea and whoever controls it can place a stranglehold on China’s energy supplies. In 2016, 80 per cent of China’s oil supplies passed through the Malacca Straits, if India were to control it, then China will lose access to a vital artery for global trade and Chinese ships will have to take a longer route. According to an estimate, China’s shipping costs could increase by more than $64 million if the Strait of Malacca is closed for even a week, another estimate says alternative routes could cost Beijing anywhere between $84 to 220 billion a year. A situation like that would add to China’s problems. It already faces a territorial dispute in the South China Sea and with tensions are growing last week as the United States declared that most of China's claims to the South China Sea illegal, New Delhi too has taken a stand. The ministry of external affairs issued a statement which questioned China's attempts to grab territory in the South China Sea. China knows the Strait of Malacca is its achilles heel, so, it has been sending ships close to the Andaman and Nicobar islands. Last year, Chinese naval vessel Shin Yang-1 was chased away by the Indian navy which was allegedly snooping near the islands. Now, with drills in the area, New Delhi has sent a message to Beijing that it won’t have its way on the high seas.

China's 'Malacca dilemma': How India can control the Dragon on the high seas

US defense secretary Mark Esper said today that the "relationship with India is "one of the all-important defense relationships of the 21st century.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-indian-navies-conduct-joint-drill-in-indian-ocean-in-a-strong-message-to-china-314729">Also Read:&nbsp;US-Indian navies conduct joint drill in Indian Ocean in a strong message to China</a>

Esper speaking on the India-US naval exercise at Andaman and Nicobar islands which took place on Monday, said that the current exercise demonstrates "our shared commitment to stronger naval cooperation and a free and open Indo-Pacific."

Watch:

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India and US navies conducted a naval exercise on Monday called the Passage Exercise (PASSEX) in the Indian Ocean. Units of US Navy Nimitz Carrier Strike Group took part in the exercise amid growing tensions between India and China after the clash at Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian soldiers had died in action.&nbsp;

Four US navy and Indian ships took part in the drill with the Indian fleet consisting of Rajput-class destroyer, Shivalik class frigates and Kamorta-class anti-submarine warfare corvette.&nbsp;

"We are monitoring very closely what's happening on the Line of Control(LAC)," Esper said, adding,"we are pleased both sides are trying to de-escalate the situation."

"The smaller the country, your arms gets twisted," Esper said referring to China. "Our carriers have been in South China Sea and Indo-Pacific since World War-II. We will back sovereignty of our friends and partners," Esper asserted.

Esper said there was "great multilateral cooperation" in recent months while adding that he views bilateral and even multilateral FONOPs(Freedom of Navigation Operations) taking place in the South China Sea as a show of force against China.

"China's action on coronavirus is a whole other discussion about China's bad behaviour," he added.

"I was in Hong Kong in 1997 for the handover, I don't believe anyone in Taiwan believes that China has any intention of living up to its One Country, Two Systems promise, so it is a problem," he said on the recent Hong Kong crisis after China imposed the national security law, while adding that the United States would continue to conduct arms sales to Taiwan and FONOPs in the Taiwan Strait.

US defense secretary Mark Esper said today that the "relationship with India is "one of the all-important defense relationships of the 21st century. Also Read: US-Indian navies conduct joint drill in Indian Ocean in a strong message to China Esper speaking on the India-US naval exercise at Andaman and Nicobar islands which took place on Monday, said that the current exercise demonstrates "our shared commitment to stronger naval cooperation and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

US defense secretary Mark Esper said today that the "relationship with India is "one of the all-important defense relationships of the 21st century. Also Read: US-Indian navies conduct joint drill in Indian Ocean in a strong message to China Esper speaking on the India-US naval exercise at Andaman and Nicobar islands which took place on Monday, said that the current exercise demonstrates "our shared commitment to stronger naval cooperation and a free and open Indo-Pacific." Watch: India and US navies conducted a naval exercise on Monday called the Passage Exercise (PASSEX) in the Indian Ocean. Units of US Navy Nimitz Carrier Strike Group took part in the exercise amid growing tensions between India and China after the clash at Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian soldiers had died in action. Four US navy and Indian ships took part in the drill with the Indian fleet consisting of Rajput-class destroyer, Shivalik class frigates and Kamorta-class anti-submarine warfare corvette. "We are monitoring very closely what's happening on the Line of Control(LAC)," Esper said, adding,"we are pleased both sides are trying to de-escalate the situation." "The smaller the country, your arms gets twisted," Esper said referring to China. "Our carriers have been in South China Sea and Indo-Pacific since World War-II. We will back sovereignty of our friends and partners," Esper asserted. Esper said there was "great multilateral cooperation" in recent months while adding that he views bilateral and even multilateral FONOPs(Freedom of Navigation Operations) taking place in the South China Sea as a show of force against China. "China's action on coronavirus is a whole other discussion about China's bad behaviour," he added. "I was in Hong Kong in 1997 for the handover, I don't believe anyone in Taiwan believes that China has any intention of living up to its One Country, Two Systems promise, so it is a problem," he said on the recent Hong Kong crisis after China imposed the national security law, while adding that the United States would continue to conduct arms sales to Taiwan and FONOPs in the Taiwan Strait.

India-China standoff: Relationship with India important, monitoring LAC very closely: US defense secretary Mark Esper

Units of US Navy -- Nimitz Carrier Strike Group -- and Indian Navy undertook Passage Exercise (PASSEX) in the Indian Ocean on Monday. WION broke the story about the drill on Sunday evening.

Units of US Navy -- Nimitz Carrier Strike Group -- and Indian Navy undertook Passage Exercise (PASSEX) in the Indian Ocean on Monday. WION broke the story about the drill on Sunday evening. Four US navy ships and as many Indian ships were part of the drill. The Indian fleet included one Rajput-class destroyer, two Shivalik class frigates and one Kamorta-class anti-submarine warfare corvette. US Navy's USS Nimitz is one of the world's largest warship Passage Exercise is transiting exercise in which a transiting unit joins other. India had a similar exercise with the Japanese at the end of June. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is transiting through IOR. During the passage, #IndianNavy units undertook Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with #USNavy. Indian Navy had also conducted similar PASSEXs with #JMSDF and #FrenchNavy in recent past.@USNavy@SpokespersonMoD @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/ntj5gFFNqC — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) July 20, 2020 × Meanwhile, even as India, American navy forces conducted exercise in the Indian Ocean, the American navy also conducted exercise with Japanese forces in northern Japan. Also read | WION exclusive: America's largest warship likely to exercise with Indian Navy amid Chinese aggression The development comes days after a violent face-off between India and China after "Chinese side took pre-meditated and planned action that was directly responsible for the resulting violence and casualties" according to Ministry of external affairs. Nimitz aircraft carrier came from the South China Sea and was part of wargames along with USS Theodore Roosevelt. The development is also significant given the increased Chinese presence in the Indian ocean. China has its only overseas military base in Djibouti in the horn of Africa, located strategically at the mouth of crucial sea lanes connecting Suez canal, the Gulf of Aden and wider Indian ocean.

US-Indian navies conduct joint drill in Indian Ocean in a strong message to China

South China Sea row: Why US has deployed warship USS Nimitz in Naval exercise with India