The Malabar naval exercise is a trilateral exercise conducted between India, Japan, and the United States. It is an important maritime exercise aimed at enhancing interoperability and cooperation among the navies of these countries.

The exercise was first started in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the United States. Over the years, it has evolved into a trilateral exercise with the inclusion of Japan in 2015. The participation of these three countries in the exercise is significant as all of them have strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

The exercise is conducted in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific Ocean, which are important maritime areas for all the participating countries. It focuses on various aspects of naval operations, including anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, maritime interdiction operations, and search and rescue operations.

The Malabar exercise provides an opportunity for the participating countries to share best practices, learn from each other's experiences, and enhance their operational capabilities. It also helps in building mutual trust and understanding among the navies of these countries. The exercise includes a series of complex and realistic drills and scenarios that test the skills, coordination, and interoperability of the participating navies.

The trilateral nature of the exercise highlights the growing strategic partnership and cooperation among India, Japan, and the United States. These countries share common values and interests in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. The Malabar exercise serves as a platform for strengthening these partnerships and promoting regional security.

In conclusion, the Malabar naval exercise is conducted between India, Japan, and the United States. It is a trilateral exercise aimed at enhancing interoperability and cooperation among the navies of these countries. The exercise focuses on various aspects of naval operations and helps in building mutual trust and understanding among the participating navies.