BRICS Plus naval exercise:
India’s decision to skip the BRICS Plus naval exercise “Will for Peace 2026” has drawn attention as New Delhi clarified that such drills are not institutionalised BRICS activities and reflected a considered political choice amid evolving geopolitics.The BRICS Plus naval exercise is a host-led, non-institutionalised maritime drill involving selected BRICS members and invited partner countries, conducted outside the formal BRICS framework.Host nation: South Africa, Conducted off the coast of Simon’s Town, near Cape Town.Theme: “Joint Actions to Ensure the Safety of Key Shipping Lanes and Maritime Economic Activities”
Member participants:
- Participating navies: China, Russia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, South Africa
- Observers: Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia
- Non-participants: India, Brazil (opted out of active participation)
