In exercise Tiger Triumph, the U.S. Marine Corps and Indian armed forces are launching a joint humanitarian relief training mission. But the real intent here seems to be perfecting the ability to launch a joint amphibious assault. And China must be viewed as the motive for this training.

As the Hindu reports, the 9-day exercise off India’s eastern coast will involve “staff planning events as well as field training that simulates moving a humanitarian assistance/disaster relief force from ship to shore.” U.S. officials have been keen to emphasize the humanitarian angle here, likely to avoid aggravating China or embarrassing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has sought to maintain friendly relations with Beijing even as he strengthens New Delhi’s partnership with Washington.