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India distances itself from the South Africa‑led naval drills
India has clarified why it did not join the multinational naval exercise held near South Africa’s coast. The exercise, widely described as a BRICS activity, involved China, Russia, Iran and several other partners. India and Brazil did not join. The Ministry of External Affairs of India says the drills were not an official or institutional BRICS exercise. It was a South African initiative. Only some BRICS members took part.
Not a regular BRICS activity, says MEA
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the exercise was “entirely a South African initiative.” It should not be considered a BRICS operation. He clarified that it was not a regular or institutionalised BRICS activity. He emphasised that India has not participated in earlier such exercises. He said India only takes part in the IBSAMAR maritime exercise, which involves India, Brazil and South Africa. The last IBSAMAR was held in October 2024.
Exercise Will for Peace took place as global tensions rise
The naval drills were called Will for Peace 2026. They were led by China. The event was hosted in Simon’s Town, where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. The drills included maritime strike operations, rescue exercises and technical exchanges. Iran, Russia, the UAE and South Africa sent vessels to join. South Africa framed the exercise as a response to rising global maritime tensions. India stressed that its absence was consistent with its past decisions and its established defence partnerships.
BRICS expansion and political backdrop
The exercise occurred during a period of BRICS expansion. Tensions between the US and South Africa are high. Washington views BRICS as an economic competitor. India maintained that it was not avoiding the drills for political reasons. It was because the event was not a recognised BRICS platform. The MEA said India would continue to join only in formal BRICS‑related structures and in IBSAMAR.
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