India Opts Out of South Africa's BRICS Naval Wargame

India abstained from a multilateral naval exercise initiated by South Africa that included several BRICS nations, citing it as non-institutional under BRICS. The exercise involved navies from China, Russia, and others. India emphasized its participation in the IBSAMAR maritime exercise with Brazil and South Africa.

In a move that underscores its autonomous foreign policy stance, India on Saturday revealed it opted out of a South African-initiated naval exercise involving several BRICS nations.

The exercise, hosted in South African waters, saw participation from China, Russia, Iran, and others, amidst rising tensions in Iran over potential military actions related to domestic unrest.

The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that this exercise was not a standard BRICS activity and reaffirmed India's commitment to the IBSAMAR exercise with Brazil and South Africa.