India Defends Decision to Skip Brics Naval Exercise
The Indian government has clearly explained its choice to not join the recent "Brics Naval Exercise." Officials stated this activity was purely a South African initiative. Not all Brics member nations participated in this event.
Not a Regular Brics Activity
The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized this naval exercise was not a regular or institutionalized Brics activity. India has consistently avoided previous similar exercises. The ministry responded to specific queries about India's noticeable absence from what they termed the "so-called Brics naval exercise."
India's preferred maritime engagement is the IBSAMAR exercise. This stands for India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime exercise. It brings together the navies of these three nations. The most recent edition of IBSAMAR successfully occurred in October 2024.
Brics Remains Important Forum
Despite not joining this specific drill, India reaffirmed its commitment to the Brics grouping. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently stated Brics remains a crucial platform. He highlighted its role in fostering greater dialogue, cooperation, and practical solutions. The minister noted the forum respects different national priorities and development stages.
India is scheduled to hold the chairship of Brics in 2026, underscoring its ongoing involvement.
Exercise Details and Geopolitical Context
The joint naval exercise took place in South African waters. Participating navies included China, Russia, Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This week-long military wargame happened during a period of heightened tension. Concerns about possible military strikes on Iran were rising due to its internal crackdown on anti-government protesters.
India's Stance on De-dollarisation
The exercise occurred against a backdrop of broader economic discussions. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Brics. He accuses the group of challenging American economic dominance by moving away from the US dollar.
India maintains a distinct position on this issue. The Indian government has clarified it will not support any Brics push for "de-dollarisation." This highlights India's independent foreign policy approach within the bloc.
Brics Expansion
The Brics grouping has significantly grown in recent years. It originally included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. In 2024, the bloc expanded to welcome Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Indonesia formally joined the alliance in 2025, marking its continued evolution.
