Marking territory, re-enforcing Esprit De Corps, displaying geo-political confluence. Single act, multiple signals.
As the US Navy's Nimitz Carrier Strike Group passed through the Indian Ocean, India acknowledged a pal's presence in the waters of it's Sphere Of Influence, sending platforms from it's Brothers in Arms service to ensure safe passage, honing combat skills.
Indian Navy Warships, a Rajput-class Destroyer INS Rana [D52], the Anti-Submarine Warfare [ASW] Corvette INS Kamorta [P28] & 2 Shivalik-class Stealth Frigates INS Shivalik [F47] & INS Sahyadri [F49], engaged in a Passing Exercise [PASSEX] with counterpart Vessels from the US Navy.
"While operating together, the U.S. and Indian naval forces conducted high-end exercises designed to maximize training and interoperability, including air defense. Nimitz CSG’s operations are designed to provide security throughout the region while building partnerships with friends and allies."
The oldest Aircraft Carrier in the American Fleet, the USS Nimitz [CVN 68], belonging to the Carrier Strike Group 11, is currently on operational deployment. As part of it's objectives, it executed Freedom of Navigation drills in the Champa Sea, which the Chinese like to assert as own, calling it the "South China Sea". In an uncharacteristically hardcore flexing of muscles, the US, this June, simultaneously deployed 3 Carriers Groups to the Champa Sea - think the cast of 'The Expendables', featuring together at the prime of their careers - sending across a "ठंड रख" message to the Chinese.
The Indian Ocean Region, including the Strait of Malacca, from where 64 percent of Chinese maritime trade & 80 percent of it's oil imports passes, is firmly in India's Comfort Zone, much to the consternation of the Politburo. This situation will prevail for much of the near-mid future, despite PRC's bid to cultivate risky, questionable alternatives.
It, therefore, would be a prudent move for India to play to it's strengths, in order to shake off Han adventurism on the land, spread thin it's attention of India-focussed activities.
Godspeed