Source: The Economic Times | Original Published At: 2026-01-10 08:33:00 UTC
Key Points
- China, Russia, and Iran conduct joint naval drills in South African waters under the BRICS Plus framework.
- Exercises focus on maritime safety, economic activity coordination, and capability improvement.
- South Africa denies political motives, emphasizing the non-hostile nature of the drills.
- Brazil, Egypt, and Ethiopia participate as observers in the expanded BRICS Plus format.
- Drills occur amid U.S. tensions with multiple BRICS Plus members over trade and geopolitical policies.