A major BRICS naval exercise took place off South Africa, with Russia, China, Iran and the host nation at sea. India was invited but chose not to participate. The move was influenced by careful political calculation and lingering sensitivities with Beijing. A major BRICS naval exercise took place off South Africa, with Russia, China, Iran and the host nation at sea. India was invited but chose not to participate. The move was influenced by careful political calculation and lingering sensitivities with Beijing.