Question

Which of the following statements is true regarding India’s stance on the BRICS Plus naval exercise “Will for Peace 2026”?

• A. India hosted the exercise.
• B. India participated as a lead observer.
• C. India skipped the exercise, citing it as an ad-hoc initiative rather than an institutionalized activity.
• D. India sent its newest aircraft carrier to participate.

Hint:

India generally avoids military exercises that lack a formal institutional framework within "political" groups like BRICS or SCO to maintain its non-aligned/multi-aligned status. If an exercise seems dominated by China's "expansionist" agenda, India often opts out or stays as an observer.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Know what "Will for Peace 2026" was.
"Will for Peace 2026" was a BRICS Plus joint naval exercise. Several BRICS and partner nations were invited to participate in this maritime drill.
Step 2: Recall India's position.
India chose to skip the exercise, officially citing it as an ad-hoc initiative rather than an institutionalized BRICS activity. This decision also reflected India's strategic autonomy and its Quad commitments.
Step 3: Eliminate the wrong options.
India neither hosted nor led the exercise, and did not send an aircraft carrier. India simply abstained by categorizing the exercise as ad-hoc rather than a standing BRICS institution.
\[ \boxed{\text{India skipped, citing it as ad-hoc initiative}} \]