* The 24th edition of the MALABAR naval exercise was scheduled in two phases in November 2020. * The Phase 1 of the Exercise MALABAR 2020 involving participation by IN (Indian Navy), USN (United States Navy), JMSDF (Japan Maritime Self Defence Force), and RAN (Royal Australian Navy) had commenced off Visakhapatnam in the Bay of Bengal from 03rd to 06th November 2020. * MALABAR series of maritime exercises commenced in the year 1992 as a bilateral India-USA naval exercise. The JMSDF joined MALABAR in the year 2015. The 2020 edition had witnessed participation of the RAN in this joint maritime exercise.