India skips South Africa-led naval exercise as it’s not ‘institutionalised’ BRICS activity
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Source: The Hindu | Original Published At: 2026-01-17 10:41:43 UTC
Key Points
- India declined participation in a South Africa-led naval exercise involving China, Russia, and other BRICS members, stating it was not a formal BRICS activity.
- MEA spokesperson emphasized the exercise was a South African initiative, not part of institutionalized BRICS mechanisms.
- India highlighted its participation in the trilateral IBSAMAR exercise with Brazil and South Africa as its regular maritime engagement within BRICS.
- The article notes India's current chairmanship of BRICS and the group's 2024-2025 expansion to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Indonesia.
- Exercise occurred amid regional tensions related to Iran's domestic crackdowns.