Amid tense relations with the United States, India sent 65 people to participate in the Russian-led Zapad-2025 military exercises, which lasted five days. The Trump administration last month put a 50% duty on Indian imports, citing in part India’s ongoing purchases of Russian oil. Washington claimed this action tacitly supported Moscow’s war in Ukraine, further straining relations between New Delhi and Washington.
India’s Kumaon Regiment leads participation
According to the Ministry of Defense, its soldiers, under the command of a battalion from the famed Kumaon Regiment, participated in tactical exercises, special weaponry training, and combined training with Belarusian and Russian forces.
🇷🇺Russia and Belarus will hold a joint military exercise in September.
The Zapad, or West, 2025 drill will involve over 13,000 troops.
Experts believe that Russia will attack Lithuania in connection with that exercise.
Source: BILD pic.twitter.com/wQEdUvesKI
— WORLD AT WAR (@World_At_War_6) March 23, 2025
Scale of Zapad-2025 exercises
In September, Russia and Belarus conducted a combined military drill. More than 13,000 troops participated in the Zapad, or West, 2025 drill. Approximately 100,000 troops were involved overall, supported by 247 naval vessels, including submarines, 333 aircraft, battleships, heavy artillery, and bombers with nuclear capabilities.
Putin oversees drills in Nizhny Novgorod
Wearing military fatigues, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Mulino Training Ground in Nizhny Novgorod to supervise the exercises’ active phase. He stated, “Today we are conducting the final part of the Zapad-2025 strategic exercise,” emphasizing the exercises’ focus on bolstering defense and proving preparedness to face possible threats.
Other countries also joined Zapad-2025
There were other foreign participants besides India. Mali, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burkina Faso, Bangladesh, and Iran all joined task teams. US military officers also observed the maneuvers for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, signaling a cautious thaw in relations with Belarus.
RARE sight — Putin in MILITARY uniform at Zapad-2025 military exercises
Meets foreign delegations invited to the drills pic.twitter.com/bn0CiK5ibv
— RT (@RT_com) September 16, 2025
India-US relations strained amid trade disputes
India’s involvement coincided with increased commercial and strategic tensions between the United States and India. President Trump imposed high tariffs on Indian imports, accusing New Delhi of continuing to purchase Russian energy. During the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, Trump criticized India’s geopolitical alignment, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that India and the US remain close partners.
India’s long-standing defense ties with Russia
Prior to Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, India had already taken part in Zapad drills, including joint war games with Belarus and Russia. According to TASS, Zapad-2025 was conducted at 41 training locations, showcasing the operational complexity and magnitude of the event. New Delhi views participation as maintaining long-standing defense relations with Moscow while balancing its ties with Washington.
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