- By Shivangi Sharma
- Thu, 18 Sep 2025 07:54 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Indian Ministry of Defence has confirmed that 65 personnel from the armed forces were dispatched to take part in the Russian-led Zapad-2025 military exercises. These drills, which took place from September 12 to 16, wrapped up on Tuesday and saw the participation of around 100,000 troops. The five-day war games included rehearsals for launching Russian tactical nuclear weapons and launching the hypersonic Oreshnik missile, which was test-fired by Moscow in Ukraine recently.
The manoeuvres included 333 aircraft, 247 naval ships, including submarines, nuclear-tipped bombers, heavy artillery, and warships. Russian President Vladimir Putin himself inspected the Mulino Training Ground in Nizhny Novgorod to monitor the live phase of the war games.
India's move to deploy troops has gained attention in the West. Relations with America have been tense following the Trump administration's 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports. Washington cited, among others, India's continued purchase of Russian oil, which it said indirectly affected Moscow's war effort in Ukraine.
Delhi framed its involvement as part of attempts to "further deepen defence cooperation and enhance camaraderie between Russia and India, thus reinforcing the spirit of partnership and mutual trust." Officials highlighted that India pursues strategic autonomy, having friendships with several great powers on an equal footing.
NATO And European Concerns
NATO and the European Union have also complained about the exercises. EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas stated that India's alliance with Russia exceeds commerce, including military exercises and energy deals, which she called hindrances to tighter EU-India collaboration.
"Ultimately, our cooperation is not merely about trade, but also about upholding the rules-based international order," said Kallas. She also noted that India is unlikely to completely sever its ties with Russia.
The Zapad-2025 exercises also raised eyebrows due to previous precedents. In 2022, Russia's assault on Kyiv followed shortly after military exercises in southern Belarus, which shares borders with Ukraine. Poland, as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, sounded the alarm after it shot down Russian drones in its airspace last week, the first verified incursion of Russian drones into NATO airspace. Poland has reported 11 such incursions since the war against Ukraine began and called for NATO to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine.