BRICS Plus Naval Exercise: "Will for Peace 2026"

Context

In January 2026, the "Will for Peace 2026" naval exercise held off the coast of South Africa sparked international debate. India’s decision to skip the drills was clarified by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which emphasized that such exercises are not institutionalized activities of the BRICS grouping but rather host-led initiatives.

About the News

Background: The exercise is the rebranded third edition of the "Mosi" series (previously Mosi I and II). It was originally scheduled for late 2025 but was moved to January 2026 to avoid a conflict with the G20 summit hosted by South Africa.

Details of the Exercise:

Host Nation: South Africa (conducted near the Simon’s Town Naval Base, Cape Town).
Lead Coordinator: China.
Participating Navies: China, Russia, Iran, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and South Africa.
Observers: Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia.
Non-Participants: India (declined both participation and observer status).

Key Features of "Will for Peace 2026"

Theme: "Joint Actions to Ensure the Safety of Key Shipping Lanes and Maritime Economic Activities."
Core Operations:
- Armed rescue of hijacked commercial vessels (Special Forces drills).
- Anti-sea strike maneuvers and formation tactical exercises.
- Search and Rescue (SAR) and helicopter transfers of the wounded.
Framework: Conducted under the "BRICS Plus" outreach, extending engagement to the expanded membership (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Indonesia).

India’s Stand and Strategic Rationale

The MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, clarified that India does not view these drills as a "regular" BRICS activity.

Non-Institutional Nature: India asserts that BRICS is primarily an economic and developmental forum. Participation in a China-led military drill would contradict India’s efforts to prevent the "militarization" of the bloc.
Strategic Autonomy: Participation alongside sanctioned states like Russia and Iran in a China-led exercise could signal an "anti-Western" alignment, which India seeks to avoid to maintain its balanced ties with the U.S. and Europe.
The "IBSAMAR" Alternative: India highlighted that its preferred maritime engagement within this context is IBSAMAR (India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime), a regular institutionalized exercise.
Caution with China: Despite recent diplomatic thaws (e.g., the 2025 SCO summit), India remains wary of high-level military cooperation with China until the border situation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is fully resolved.

Challenges and Global Perceptions

"Uncle Judge" Synergy: Critics in South Africa’s opposition parties questioned the move, fearing it undermines the country’s neutrality and "rules-based order" by aligning with "rogue" military interests.
Diverging Visions: The exercise highlights a split in BRICS: China and Russia see it as a security signaling tool against Western influence, while India and Brazil prefer it as a South-South economic cooperation platform.
Geopolitical Tension: The involvement of Iran during a period of domestic unrest and heightened Middle East tensions drew sharp criticism from Washington.

Way Forward

Defining BRICS Security: As India holds the BRICS Chairmanship for 2026, it is expected to steer the group back toward institutional reforms and economic cooperation rather than security blocs.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties: India continues to engage with BRICS members individually (e.g., the Indra 2025 exercises with Russia) while maintaining a firewall between those ties and multilateral "BRICS" military branding.
Maritime Security Public Goods: Participants aim to frame future iterations as "public goods" for the international community, focusing on anti-piracy and trade route safety to reduce Western alarm.

Conclusion

India’s refusal to join "Will for Peace 2026" is a "considered political choice" that reinforces its commitment to strategic autonomy. It underscores New Delhi's vision of BRICS as a platform for global governance reform rather than a nascent military alliance that could heighten global polarization.

BRICS Plus Naval Exercise: "Will for Peace 2026"