Why India Skipped The BRICS Naval Exercise Held Near South Africa's Coast? MEA Clarifies 'Not A Regular...'

(MENAFN- Live Mint) MEA Randhir Jaiswal, in response to India's non-participation in the 'BRICS Naval Exercise', clarified that that it was not a regular or institutionalised BRICS activity, nor did all BRICS members take part in it.

India and Brazil – both BRICS members, opted out of the drills which kicked off near the South African coast.

"We clarify that the exercise in question was entirely a South African initiative in which some BRICS members took part. It was not a regular or institutionalised BRICS activity, nor did all BRICS members take part in it. India has not participated in previous such activities. The regular exercise that India is a part of in this context is the IBSAMAR maritime exercise that brings together the navies of India, Brazil, and South Africa. The last edition of IBSAMAR was held in October 2024."

What is 'BRICS Naval Exercise'?

Joint naval drills involving several members of the BRICS bloc, including China, Russia and Iran, have kicked off near South Africa's coast on 9 January.

China, as per a statement issued by the nation's defence ministry, had said the exercises are“joint operations to safeguard vital shipping lanes and economic activities, " reported Al Jazeera.

As per multiple foreign media reports, Chinese, Russian and Iranian ships were seen moving into and out of the harbour that serves South Africa's top naval base in Simon's Town, south of Cape Town, where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean.

(This is a developing story. Keep checking for more updates)

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