‘Not regular activity’: India skipped ‘Brics Naval Exercise’ as it was not an institutional drill, says MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday clarified that India did not participate in the so-called ‘Brics Naval Exercise’, stressing that the drill was neither a regular nor an institutionalised activity of the BRICS grouping.

‘Entirely a South African initiative’

Responding to media queries, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the naval exercise was “entirely a South African initiative” in which only some Brics members took part. He underlined that the exercise did not have formal backing from Brics and that not all member countries were involved.

“We clarify that the exercise in question was entirely a South African initiative in which some BRICS members took part. It was not a regular or institutionalised Brics activity, nor did all Brics members participate,” Jaiswal said.

Who took part in the drills

The week-long exercise, held in South African waters, involved the navies of China, Russia, Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, among others. India and Brazil, both Brics members, opted out of the manoeuvres.

India’s absence drew attention as the exercise took place amid heightened tensions in Iran following its crackdown on anti-government protests.

India not part of previous editions

Jaiswal said India has not participated in previous editions of similar exercises either. He added that the only regular maritime drill India takes part in with Brics partners is IBSAMAR, which brings together the navies of India, Brazil and South Africa. The latest edition of IBSAMAR was held in October 2024.

India chairs expanded BRICS

India is currently the chair of BRICS, which was originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The grouping expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE, with Indonesia joining in 2025.

BRICS has emerged as a major multilateral platform, representing around 49.5 percent of the global population, nearly 40 percent of global GDP and about 26 percent of global trade.

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Geopolitical backdrop

South Africa described the joint naval drills near its coast as a response to rising maritime tensions globally. The exercises also took place against the backdrop of strained ties between South Africa and the US, which has viewed the bloc as an economic challenge.