Australia to host major naval exercise for first time.

Australia will host the upcoming international naval exercise Exercise Malabar for the first time, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen highlight the strength of the country’s relationship with India. The exercise, which involves defence ships and aircraft from Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, is aimed at increasing military co-operation between countries. Albanese and Bowen met with India’s external affairs minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, in Sydney on Saturday to discuss ramping up economic and security ties. Bowen later warned of the global energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, stressing the need for countries such as Australia and India to work together to ensure diversity in international supply chains. China is responsible for around 80 percent of the market, according to the International Energy Agency, and has previously stopped imports of various Australian products. Albanese is due to travel to India in the next few weeks to finalise a trade deal, and will also attend the G20 meeting in New Delhi in September. Additionally, Australia will host the Quad leaders’ annual meeting in the first half of the year.