BRICS Naval Drills in South Africa Spark Controversy Over Iran Participation

Source: नवभारत टाइम्स | Original Published At: 2026-01-23 09:28:55 UTC

Key Points

• South Africa hosted BRICS naval drills from January 9-16, 2026, involving China, Russia, and Iran, with India notably absent.
• The inclusion of Iran sparked US condemnation and internal political conflict in South Africa, with accusations of defying presidential orders.
• South African military allegedly ignored directives to exclude Iran amid US warnings about diplomatic and economic repercussions.
• India's decision to skip the drills drew international attention, with analysts suggesting it avoided potential US backlash.
• The incident highlights tensions within BRICS and between BRICS nations and Western powers over geopolitical alignment.