New Delhi, 17 January (H.S.):

Amid reports of not participating in a naval exercise off South Africa's coast, India clarified on Saturday that the event is neither a regular nor an institutionalized BRICS activity. The exercise was entirely a South African initiative, in which India did not take part.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India did not join the recently held 'BRICS naval exercise.' He emphasized that this was a wholly South African-led endeavor involving select BRICS member countries, not all members, and thus cannot be regarded as a regular or institutional BRICS activity.

Jaiswal noted that India has previously abstained from such exercises as well. The regular exercise India participates in is the IBSAMAR (India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime) exercise, involving the navies of India, Brazil, and South Africa. Its previous edition occurred in October 2024.

Notably, the week-long joint naval exercise by BRICS countries commenced on January 13 near South Africa's Simon's Town naval base, with participation from China, Russia, South Africa, and others. South Africa described it as a vital response to escalating global maritime tensions, with China providing leadership.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar