NEW DELHI: India, Australia, Japan and the United States started a strategic navy drill Tuesday in the Bay of Bengal, with all four countries keeping a wary eye on China's growing military power. The exercises - with anti-submarine and anti-aircraft drills - went ahead as India is embroiled in a deadly border showdown with China and has sought closer military ties with other countries.

The four nations make up the so-called Quad group (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue), established in 2007 to counter growing Chinese influence. Australia - which also has problematic relations with China - is taking part in the Malabar exercises for the first time in more than a decade, a sign of the growing importance of the group. The exercises will be held in two stages, with more war games to be held in the Arabian Sea later this month.