India Joins Russia-Led Zapad 2025 Military Exercise: NATO Countries Watch Closely
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has shed light on the country’s active role in the Zapad 2025 military exercise in Russia. During a weekly briefing in New Delhi on Friday, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed questions about Indian troops joining the drills. He pointed out that even NATO members like the United States, Turkey, and Hungary sent observers, showing broad international interest.
When asked about India’s participation in the Zapad exercise, Jaiswal directed attention to a recent Ministry of Defence press release. On September 9, the defence ministry announced that a 65-member Indian Armed Forces contingent headed to the Mulino Training Ground in Nizhny, Russia. This group includes soldiers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, ready to team up with forces from nine other nations.
The Zapad 2025 exercise focuses on boosting military cooperation and interoperability among participating armies. It offers a key platform to share tactics, techniques, and procedures for conventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations. Troops will practice joint company-level missions in open terrain, covering everything from planning and tactical drills to special skills. This setup helps sharpen operational abilities, integrate new technologies, and adapt to multinational combat scenarios.
Jaiswal highlighted the diverse observers at the event. "Several countries, including NATO nations like the US, Turkey, and Hungary, joined as observers," he told reporters. Reports from The New York Times noted two US military observers watching Belarusian and Russian forces in action on Monday. Russia’s TASS news agency added that 23 countries sent observers to the drills in Belarus, including three NATO members: the US, Turkey, and Germany.
The Belarus Defence Ministry confirmed that international groups like the Union State, Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) also had representatives. Military attaches from 17 nations participated, such as Azerbaijan, China, Cuba, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Peru, Russia, Serbia, Sudan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the US, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The briefing also touched on concerns raised by EU Vice President Kaja Kallas. She suggested that India’s involvement in the Russia military exercise and its oil purchases from Russia might strain India-EU ties. Jaiswal responded firmly, reiterating India’s stance on defence engagements. "We hold military exercises and defence ties with many countries," he said. On oil imports, he explained the clear rationale behind India’s approach, driven by energy needs.
Shifting to the brighter side, Jaiswal emphasized the strong India-EU strategic partnership. He mentioned a recent tele-conversation on September 17 between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. PM Modi welcomed the EU’s new Strategic EU-India Agenda, adopted that day. As the world’s largest democracies, both leaders committed to deepening ties for mutual prosperity, tackling global challenges, and upholding a rules-based order.
The EU’s Joint Communication, outlined by the European Commission and High Representative, marks a big step forward. Announced in von der Leyen’s 2024-2029 Political Guidelines, it aims to expand cooperation, boost security, and address worldwide issues. Following a February EU college visit to India, this agenda builds on ongoing efforts. India and the EU are negotiating a balanced free trade agreement (FTA) and a security-defence partnership to elevate relations.
PM Modi expressed delight over the agenda and reaffirmed India’s eagerness to strengthen the India-EU relationship. With Zapad 2025 underway, India’s global defence engagements continue to draw attention, balancing partnerships across regions.
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