New Delhi, India | 17 January 2026
The Government of India formally addressed its non-participation in the multinational ‘Will for Peace 2026’ naval exercise through a press release on 17 January 2026.
An official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs clarified that India did not participate in the exercise, as the event was a South African initiative and not a regular or institutionalised activity of the BRICS grouping. The spokesperson noted that several other BRICS member states also did not take part and that India has not participated in similar initiatives in the past.
The official communication served as India’s definitive public statement on the matter, concluding the government’s comment period regarding the exercise.
References:
- Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs. “Official Spokesperson’s response to media queries regarding comments relating to India’s non-participation in a so-called ‘BRICS Naval Exercise’.” mea.gov.in, 17 Jan. 2026, https://www.mea.gov.in/response-to-queries.htm?dtl/40595/Official_Spokespersons_response_to_media_queries_regarding_comments_relating_to_Indias_nonparticipation_in_a_socalled_BRICS_Naval_Exercise.
