India's Ministry of External Affairs has provided a clear explanation regarding the country's decision not to join the recent BRICS naval drills. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the matter directly, offering important context about the nature of these exercises.
Official Clarification on BRICS Exercise
Randhir Jaiswal stated firmly that the naval activity in question does not represent a regular or institutionalized BRICS event. He emphasized that not all BRICS member nations participated in these maneuvers. The spokesperson made it clear that this was specifically a South African initiative where only some BRICS countries took part.
India's Consistent Position
Jaiswal pointed out that India has maintained a consistent approach to such activities. The country did not participate in previous similar exercises either. This demonstrates a pattern in India's foreign policy decisions regarding multilateral naval engagements.
Focus on IBSAMAR Exercises
The spokesperson highlighted India's commitment to the IBSAMAR maritime exercises instead. These regular drills bring together the navies of India, Brazil, and South Africa. The most recent edition of IBSAMAR occurred in October 2024, showing ongoing cooperation between these nations.
Other BRICS Members Also Absent
India was not alone in choosing not to participate in these drills. Brazil, another significant BRICS member country, also opted out of the naval exercises. This indicates that multiple nations within the bloc made similar decisions regarding their involvement.
Understanding the BRICS Naval Exercise
The joint naval drills involved several BRICS members including China, Russia, and Iran. These maneuvers took place near South Africa's coastline. South African officials described the exercises as an important response to increasing maritime tensions around the world.
International media reports, including coverage from Al Jazeera, have documented these developments. The situation continues to evolve as nations navigate complex maritime security challenges in various regions.
