India set for Quad-plus navy drill as US defence secretary begins Asia tour

India is now steadily cranking up its naval exercises with the “Quad” countries and other key strategic allies, even as US secretary of defence Lloyd Austin on Saturday began his first tour to Asia to bolster military cooperation and ensure “credible deterrence” against China.
Austin’s visit to New Delhi from March 19 to to 21, after touring Japan and South Korea with secretary of state Antony Blinken, will come amidst the continuing military confrontation between India and China at the remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh despite troop disengagement taking place on both sides of Pangong Tso last month.