Is the Cape Town Naval Exercise a Genuine BRICS Initiative?
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Synopsis
Uncover the truth behind the recent naval exercise in Cape Town, which India claims was solely a South African initiative with limited BRICS participation. Explore the implications of this statement and its relevance to India's maritime collaborations.
Key Takeaways
- India clarified its non-participation in the recent naval exercise in Cape Town.
- The exercise was a South African initiative with limited BRICS involvement.
- India's standard naval collaboration is through the IBSAMAR exercise.
- China played a significant role in organizing the exercise, with participation from several nations.
- Joint drills were conducted focusing on maritime security and operational coordination.
New Delhi/Cape Town, Jan 17 (NationPress) India clarified on Saturday that the recently concluded naval exercise in Cape Town was solely a South African endeavor with participation from "some BRICS members."
In response to media inquiries concerning India's absence from 'Exercise Will For Peace 2026,' which involved navies from certain BRICS Plus nations, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that it was not a typical or institutionalized BRICS activity, and not all BRICS countries participated.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal remarked: "To clarify, the exercise in question was entirely a South African initiative with involvement from select BRICS members. It was not a regular or institutionalized BRICS event, and not all BRICS nations took part."
"India has not engaged in similar previous activities. The standard exercise that India participates in is the IBSAMAR maritime drill, which includes the navies of India, Brazil, and South Africa. The most recent IBSAMAR exercise occurred in October 2024," he added.
As per the South African defence ministry, the China-led joint, interagency, inter-departmental, multinational exercise was conducted in South African waters from January 9 to 16.
"Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026 unites navies from BRICS Plus countries for an extensive program of joint maritime safety operations, interoperability exercises, and maritime protection serials. The participating nations have mutually agreed on the Exercise Theme: 'Joint Actions to Ensure the Safety of Shipping and Maritime Economic Activities.' This theme reflects the shared commitment of all participating navies to protect maritime trade routes, enhance collaborative operational procedures, and strengthen cooperation for peaceful maritime security initiatives," the South African Government stated on December 30.
According to the Chinese Defence Ministry, the guided-missile destroyer Tangshan and the comprehensive supply vessel Taihu from the Chinese PLA participated alongside ships such as the Russian Navy's corvette Stoikiy and the South African Navy's frigate Amatola.
"During navigation, under Chinese command, the participating naval vessels maneuvered in a single line ahead formation and executed planned formation changes. The drills concentrated on maritime strike, rescue operations for hijacked vessels, joint maritime search and rescue, and other scenarios. The naval forces from various countries supported and coordinated closely with each other," it stated on Friday.
The Chinese Defence Ministry also indicated that during the joint exercise, all participating forces conducted multiple consecutive drills covering topics such as communications, anchorage ground defense, and air defense.
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize India's position in asserting that the naval exercise in Cape Town was not a formal BRICS activity. This statement reflects India's strategic focus on enhancing its maritime collaborations while maintaining its distinct stance within the BRICS framework.
NationPress
17/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of the naval exercise in Cape Town?
The naval exercise aimed to enhance maritime safety operations and interoperability among participating navies.
Did all BRICS countries participate in the exercise?
No, not all BRICS members took part in the exercise; it was mainly a South African initiative with limited BRICS involvement.
What is the IBSAMAR exercise?
IBSAMAR is a maritime exercise involving the navies of India, Brazil, and South Africa, focusing on joint naval operations.
When was the last IBSAMAR exercise conducted?
The last edition of IBSAMAR was held in October 2024.
What countries participated in the Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026?
The exercise included navies from BRICS Plus countries, among others, but not all BRICS nations were involved.
