India skips South Africa-led naval exercise as it’s not ‘institutionalised’ BRICS activity

Sat Jan 17 10:41:43 UTC 2026: ### India Skips BRICS Naval Exercise Amid Rising Iran Tensions

The Story:
On January 17, 2026, India announced its decision to abstain from a multilateral naval wargame initiated by South Africa, involving several BRICS nations along with other countries such as Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The exercise took place in South African waters against a backdrop of escalating tensions surrounding Iran, due to potential military strikes related to internal anti-government protests. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that the exercise was not an officially sanctioned BRICS activity and that India has not participated in similar events in the past.

The MEA spokesperson emphasized India’s commitment to the IBSAMAR maritime exercise, which involves India, Brazil, and South Africa. This announcement comes as India holds the chair of BRICS, a group that has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE in 2024, followed by Indonesia in 2025.

Key Points:

• India did not participate in a South Africa-initiated naval wargame featuring some BRICS members and other nations.
• The exercise included navies from China, Russia, Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
• The MEA clarified that the exercise was not an institutionalized BRICS activity.
• India participates in the IBSAMAR maritime exercise with Brazil and South Africa.
• India is the current chair of BRICS, which has recently expanded its membership.

Key Takeaways:

• India is selectively participating in multilateral naval exercises, prioritizing existing partnerships like IBSAMAR.
• The decision to skip the South Africa-initiated exercise may reflect strategic considerations related to the inclusion of Iran, given the rising tensions.
• India’s BRICS chairmanship does not automatically translate to participation in all activities involving BRICS member states.
• The expansion of BRICS could be leading to internal disagreements on areas of strategic cooperation.

Impact Analysis:

India’s decision to abstain from the naval exercise, especially given its BRICS chairmanship, could signal a more cautious and selective approach to multilateral engagements within the expanded BRICS framework. The rising tensions in Iran add a layer of complexity. This event underscores the evolving dynamics within BRICS as it incorporates new members with potentially divergent strategic interests and priorities. It may also influence future BRICS initiatives, possibly prompting more rigorous vetting processes to ensure broader consensus and participation. The non-participation may be viewed as a diplomatic signal, potentially impacting India’s relations with participating nations, especially Iran.

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