India, Quad start key naval exercise

India, Australia, Japan and the United States started a strategic navy drill yesterday 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.