India has joined the Zapad-2025 military drills, part of its longstanding defence ties with Moscow, reported Russian state agency TASS. The Indian Ministry of Defence said that 65 personnel took part in the five-day exercise, which was led by Russia and Belarus.
The manoeuvres brought together around 100,000 troops, backed by nuclear-capable bombers, warships, and heavy artillery. Russian President Putin, wearing military fatigues, visited the Mulino Training Ground in Nizhny Novgorod to oversee the active phase of the joint military drills.
Putin said the drills were aimed at strengthening defences and demonstrating readiness to counter potential threats.
The Kremlin said the drills took place across 41 training sites in both countries and featured 333 aircraft and 247 naval vessels, including submarines.
US MILITARY OBSERVERS JOIN ZAPAD 2025 FOR FIRST TIME
India was not the only foreign participant. Task forces from Iran, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mali also took part.
US military officials also observed joint war games between Russia and Belarus on Monday, accepting an invitation for the first time since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The presence of the US officers, less than a week after neighbouring Poland shot down Russian drones that crossed into its airspace, is the latest sign that Washington is seeking to warm ties with Belarus.
However, India’s presence drew particular attention given the strain in its relationship with Washington.
TASS reported that India’s participation aimed at strengthening “the spirit of cooperation and mutual trust” with Russia. New Delhi’s decision is likely to raise concerns in the US, where policymakers see India as a key counterweight to China in Asia.
Tensions with Washington escalated last month when President Donald Trump’s administration imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian imports. The White House accused India of indirectly supporting Moscow’s war in Ukraine through continued purchases of Russian oil.
TENSIONS OVER TRADE BARRIERS
Despite the rhetoric, efforts to ease trade disputes are ongoing. Trump recently wrote on X that India and the US were “continuing negotiations to address trade barriers.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded with conciliatory language, posting, “India and the US are close friends and natural partners. I am confident that our trade negotiations will pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the India-US partnership.”
On Tuesday, PM Modi thanked Trump for calling him on his 75th birthday, saying, “Thank you, my friend, President Trump, for your phone call and warm greetings on my 75th birthday. Like you, I am also fully committed to taking the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights.”
India also participated in Russian drills in 2021, sending troops to the Volgograd region for joint counter-terrorism and conventional operations just before Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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With inputs from agencies