The Australian military will participate in a joint maritime exercise with the Indian and U.S. navies and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force scheduled for November, the Indian government announced Monday.
Hosted by India this year, the drill reinforces ties between the four countries and serves as a check on China, which has been developing military bases in the South China Sea.
The Australian government confirmed its involvement in a joint statement issued by the foreign and defense ministers on Monday, emphasizing that the nation is "demonstrating our collective resolve to support an open and prosperous Indo-Pacific."
The regular drill, named Malabar, began in 1992 as a bilateral training exercise between the United States and India. Japan became a permanent member in 2015.
Australia participated in Malabar through 2007, after which it pulled out following criticism levied by China. India, which has hardened its stance toward China in response to prolonged border conflicts, sought Australia's participation this year.
The four countries are collectively known as the Quad. They reiterated their commitment to a "free and open Indo-Pacific" at a foreign ministers' meeting in Tokyo in October.
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