Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi/Cape Town, Jan 17: India on Saturday clarified that a recently concluded naval exercise in Cape Town, dubbed Exercise Will For Peace 2026, was entirely a South African initiative involving some BRICS members, and that India was not a participant.
Addressing media queries, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The exercise in question was not a regular or institutionalised BRICS activity, nor did all BRICS members participate. India has not taken part in such exercises previously.” He added that India’s established naval collaboration with BRICS countries occurs through the IBSAMAR exercises, which involve India, Brazil, and South Africa. The last edition of IBSAMAR was held in October 2024.
The South African Defence Ministry described Exercise Will For Peace 2026 as a China-led, joint, interagency, multinational drill conducted in South African waters from January 9 to 16. It brought together navies from BRICS Plus nations to practice maritime safety operations, interoperability drills, and maritime protection procedures. The theme of the exercise, “Joint Actions to Ensure the Safety of Shipping and Maritime Economic Activities,” emphasized safeguarding trade routes, standardizing operational procedures, and promoting peaceful maritime security cooperation.
Chinese Defence officials confirmed the participation of the PLA Navy’s guided-missile destroyer Tangshan and supply ship Taihu, along with the Russian Navy’s corvette Stoikiy and South Africa’s frigate Amatola. The exercise involved coordinated maneuvers under Chinese command, including single-line navigation, formation changes, maritime strike drills, hijacked vessel rescue operations, and joint search-and-rescue missions.
The Chinese Defence Ministry noted that participating forces also conducted multiple drills on communications, anchorage ground defence, and air defence, emphasizing interoperability and close coordination among the international naval units.
India’s MEA reiterated that its primary engagement in regional maritime security cooperation with BRICS countries remains through IBSAMAR, reflecting India’s ongoing commitment to structured, trilateral naval exercises with Brazil and South Africa.