India on 17 January clarified that it did not participate in a so-called “BRICS Naval Exercise”, stating that the activity was not an institutionalised BRICS exercise, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
MEA’s Clarification
Responding to media queries, MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the naval exercise in question was entirely a South African initiative and involved only some BRICS member countries.
Not a Formal BRICS Activity
The MEA emphasised that the exercise was neither regular nor formal under the BRICS framework and that not all BRICS members participated. India, he said, has not taken part in previous such activities either.
India’s Regular Maritime Engagement
Jaiswal clarified that the regular maritime exercise India participates in with BRICS partners is IBSAMAR, involving the navies of India, Brazil and South Africa.
About IBSAMAR Exercise
- A trilateral maritime exercise among India, Brazil and South Africa
- Aims to enhance naval cooperation and interoperability
- Last edition held in October 2024
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