Smooth sailing for Navy

The Navy,which had come under a bit of flak for conducting too many ‘pro-Western’ exercises over the last few years,has struck a fine balancing act. It has expanded the Malabar series of exercises with the US by inviting Japan,and has sent warships to the International Fleet Review in China. The Malabar series of exercises,which in 2007 were a five-nation affair,had been cut down last year after concerns about an ‘anti-China’ pact. However,by engaging the Chinese this time,which included a visit by the Navy Chief,the Navy has once again increased the size of Malabar,which will include warships from the US and Japan.