<span style="color: #222222;">The First Phase of the 24th edition of the Malabar Naval Exercise has begun in Visakhapatnam, Bay of Bengal today. Indian Navy, United States Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force and Royal Australian Navy are taking part in the Naval Exercise. It will continue till 6th of this month.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Malabar series of maritime exercises commenced in 1992 as a bilateral Indian Navy- United States Navy exercise. Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force joined Malabar in 2015 and the 2020 edition will now witness participation of the Royal Australian Navy in this joint maritime exercise.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">According to the Ministry of Defence, the exercise is being conducted as a non-contact, at sea only in view of COVID-19 pandemic. The exercise will showcase the high-levels of synergy and coordination between the friendly navies, which is based on their shared values and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific and a rules-based international order.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The 24th edition of the Malabar Naval Exercise is scheduled in two phases during the current month. Malabar-20 Phase-1 will witness complex and advanced naval exercises including surface, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare operations, cross deck flying, seamanship evolutions and weapon firing exercises. The Phase-2 of Malabar-20 is scheduled to be conducted in the Arabian Sea in mid-November.</span><br />