India Skips BRICS Plus Naval Drill Will for Peace 2026
Why in the news
India’s absence from the Will for Peace 2026 drill drew notice. New Delhi said such drills are not formal BRICS events and staying away was a deliberate political call.
Key facts
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nature | Host-led maritime drill outside the formal BRICS framework |
| Host | South Africa (Simon’s Town area) |
| Theme | Joint Actions for Safety of Key Shipping Lanes and Maritime Economic Activities |
| Active navies | China, Russia, Iran, UAE, South Africa |
| Observers | Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia |
| Not taking part | India |
Activities
- Maritime security, counter-terrorism, anti-sea strike and search-and-rescue drills.
- Operations were coordinated by China; sanctioned countries including Russia and Iran took part.
Exam angle
- Exercise: Will for Peace 2026; host: South Africa.