India joins Russian and Belarusian military drills Zapad-2025
Photo: country sent 65 troops to the drills (Getty Images)
India has joined the Russian-Belarusian military exercises Zapad-2025, sending its troops to take part, according to The Times.
India’s Ministry of Defence said it had sent 65 troops to the drills, including soldiers from the Kumaon regiment, one of the most respected units of the Indian army.
The troops have been stationed at the Iudino training ground, about 40 miles west of Nizhny Novgorod, far from NATO borders.
The ministry said the deployment aimed to "further strengthen defence co-operation and foster camaraderie between India and Russia, thereby reinforcing the spirit of collaboration and mutual trust."
It added that Indian forces would take part in "joint training, tactical drills and special arms skills" alongside their Russian counterparts.
India had previously participated in earlier Zapad exercises before the full-scale war in Ukraine and has since attended several other Russian military drills.
But analysts say India’s decision to join the current drills amid heightened tensions between Russia and NATO is a troubling signal.
Takes on Zapad-2025
Around 30,000 Russian and Belarusian troops are taking part in the exercise, which includes ballistic missile launches and simulated airstrikes.
The drills are being held across a vast area, from bases east of Moscow and in the Arctic to the Baltic Sea and the western border of Belarus.
The Times noted that India sent its troops to the Russian-led drills, which involve practicing operations against neighboring NATO countries, at a time when India’s relations with the US are continuing to deteriorate.
