Moscow — An Indian armed forces contingent of 65 personnel left for Russia on Tuesday to take part in the multilateral exercise ‘Zapad 2025,’ underscoring New Delhi’s enduring partnership with Moscow at a time when Western governments continue their campaign to isolate Russia.
The Ministry of Defence said the group includes 57 Army soldiers, seven Air Force personnel, and one from the Navy. The deployment is led by a battalion of the Kumaon Regiment, backed by troops from other arms and services. The exercise will run from September 10 to 16 at the Mulino Training Ground in the Nizhniy region.
Indian officials described Zapad as a platform to enhance interoperability, improve tactical drills, and share counter-terrorism practices. The focus this year is company-level operations in open terrain, including joint planning, tactical maneuvers and integration of special-arms units.
For India, participation signals continuity in its defense cooperation with Russia. New Delhi has resisted pressure from Washington and European capitals to downgrade military ties with Moscow, instead choosing to demonstrate autonomy from US foreign policy.
Russian officials frame Zapad as a multinational exercise that strengthens trust and tactical coordination. Analysts say India’s presence reinforces its strategic position within Eurasian institutions such as the SCO and BRICS, both seen as alternatives to NATO-led frameworks.
The drills also come weeks after Putin and Modi held discussions on Ukraine and broader strategic ties, highlighting the political weight behind military cooperation. By joining Zapad, India gains not only operational experience but also a reaffirmation of trust with Moscow, which remains a major supplier of defense equipment to its armed forces.
According to PIB Delhi, ‘Zapad 2025’ will provide a “valuable opportunity to hone joint operational capabilities and integrate emerging technologies,” with Indian troops expected to test new tactical systems in a live multinational setting. Officials emphasized that the exercise will allow India’s forces to work closely with foreign counterparts, exchange battlefield strategies, and strengthen command-level coordination in high-pressure scenarios.
Russian agency TASS reported that the drills will emphasize tactical coordination and counter-terrorism missions, highlighting Russia’s effort to present Zapad as a platform for practical solutions to modern security challenges. By combining conventional warfare drills with counter-terror operations, the exercise aims to replicate the complex threats armies now face, from cross-border incursions to asymmetric warfare. The inclusion of multiple nations, analysts noted, underscores Moscow’s determination to demonstrate that it retains strong partners despite Western attempts at political and military isolation.
