India was represented by guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam and replenishment ship INS Aditya
Demonstrating the growing maritime partnership between India and the United States, the Indian Navy and the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) of the US Navy conducted a joint exercise in the Indian Ocean last week.
 
On July 12, 2024, the Indian Navy ships INS Aditya and INS Visakhapatnam undertook the Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with the US Naval Carrier Strike Group, which included the USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Daniel Inouye, in the Arabian Sea. This collaboration was highlighted in a tweet by the spokesperson of the Indian Navy, stating, “#IndianNavy ships #INSAditya & #INSVisakhapatnam undertook Maritime Partnership Exercise #MPX with the US Naval Carrier Strike Group comprising @USNavy ships USS Theodore Roosevelt & USS Daniel Inouye in the Arabian Sea on #12Jul.”

Intending to build interoperability between the two countries, the exercise showcased the shared commitment to upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The US Embassy in New Delhi, in a press statement, underscored this commitment by noting, “The US and Indian military forces focused on improving shared maritime domain awareness and information sharing; enhancing replenishment and logistics interoperability; and improving combined air-to-air capabilities.”
 
From the American side, participants included the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Carrier Air Wing 11, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118). The Indian side was represented by the guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam (D66) and the replenishment ship INS Aditya (A59).

Additionally, the Indian Navy is actively participating in the ongoing Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 exercise in Hawaii. The Indian multi-role stealth frigate INS Shivalik, deployed earlier in the South China Sea and North Pacific Ocean, reached Pearl Harbor in Hawaii for RIMPAC, the world’s largest naval exercise, which involves nearly 29 countries.
 
The Indian Navy has a history of conducting bilateral and multilateral exercises with the US Navy across various regions, including the Pacific, Southwest Asia, and littoral Africa. India and the US, as part of the Quad Security Dialogue alongside Japan and Australia, also conduct the Malabar exercises. The upcoming edition of this exercise will be hosted by India in October in the Bay of Bengal.
 
In a related development, the Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in Exercise Red Flag 2024 in June this year at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. This two-week exercise included the United States Air Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force, Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom, Royal Netherlands Air Force, and the German Luftwaffe. Notably, this was the first time the IAF deployed its Rafale jets to Alaska for such an exercise, showcasing India's expanding military engagement and collaboration with global partners.
 
This joint exercise and ongoing participation in international drills signify the strengthening defence ties and growing strategic partnership between India and the United States, reflecting a mutual commitment to regional security and stability.