South Africa’s ambitious naval showcase in Cape Town drew ships from China and Russia but not from India, which the MEA quickly clarified as a non-event for BRICS unity. The ministry stressed the drill’s unofficial status, quashing speculation of rifts within the bloc.
In a detailed response, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted, ‘The exercise was a South African-led initiative involving select BRICS members. It does not qualify as a regular BRICS activity, and India has consistently avoided such non-institutionalized events.’
Running January 9-16, ‘Exercise Will for Peace 2026′ focused on critical maritime skills: strike operations, counter-hijacking, search-and-rescue, and multi-ship formations. Key assets included China’s Tangshan and Taihu, Russia’s Stoykiy, and South Africa’s Amatola, all maneuvering in tight coordination.
Pretoria’s announcement on December 30 framed it as a BRICS Plus gathering to boost joint security ops, interoperability, and protection of economic sea routes. The theme emphasized collective action for safe shipping and deepened cooperation on operational standards and safety initiatives.
Beijing’s foreign ministry detailed the action: single-line formations, tactical shifts, and cross-nation support in strikes, rescues, and defenses. Troops from participating navies executed sequential drills on communications, anchorage protection, and aerial integration.
India counters with its stake in IBSAMAR, the India-Brazil-South Africa maritime exercise, last held in October 2024. This proven trilateral model suits New Delhi’s maritime diplomacy playbook.
Observers see India’s skip as pragmatic—preserving resources for official forums amid rising Red Sea and Indian Ocean threats. It also navigates BRICS’ evolving naval ambitions, where China’s lead role raises eyebrows. The move bolsters India’s image as a discerning partner in global maritime security.