In response to questions from the media regarding India’s absence from the recently completed naval exercise in Cape Town, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal pointed out that the event was ‘entirely a South African’ initiative.
While highlighting that it did not involve all BRICS members, the spokesperson noted that India has traditionally ‘refrained from such specific activities’.
“We clarify that the exercise in question was completely a South African initiative in which some BRICS members participated. It was not a standard or formalised BRICS activity, nor did every BRICS member take part. India has not engaged in prior similar activities,” Jaiswal stated.
Our response to media queries regarding comments on India’s non-participation in a purported ‘BRICS Naval Exercise’ ⬇️
???? pic.twitter.com/Hbc5ZhwFCf— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) January 17, 2026
“The consistent exercise that India participates in within this context is the IBSAMAR maritime exercise, which unites the navies of India, Brazil, and South Africa,” he added.
The latest iteration of IBSAMAR successfully concluded in October 2024 at Simon’s Town, South Africa.
However, geopolitical analyst Harsh Pant from the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation noted that opting out of the exercise is about “balancing ties with the US.”
Speaking with Al Jazeera, Pant remarked that the joint military drill “supports a narrative regarding positioning themselves in relation to the US at this time” for China, Russia, Iran, and, to a degree, South Africa.
“India would prefer to avoid being associated with the BRICS wargames. This does not hold practical or normative value for India.”
The series of joint naval exercises dubbed “Will for Peace 2026” commenced on Saturday, January 10, at the Port of Simon’s Town in Cape Town, featuring participation from BRICS members China, Russia, and South Africa.
According to the Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China, the exercise was themed “Joint Actions to Ensure the Safety of Key Shipping Lanes and Maritime Economic Activities”.
“Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026 brings together navies from BRICS Plus countries for … joint maritime safety operations (and) interoperability drills,” as reported by South Africa’s military, according to Reuters.
The BRICS nations consist of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, with South Africa currently serving as chair. Nevertheless, the two founding members of the BRICS alliance—India and Brazil—chose not to participate in the naval drills.
According to the official release, the naval exercise was slated to run from January 9 to January 16 in the waters and airspace off Simon’s Town, comprising two phases.
