Russia and Belarus have launched their first but scaled-down version of military exercise, ‘Zapad-2025’, after the Ukraine invasion / special military operations.
These biennial exercises are always political as much as they are military, and this year the mix of theatre, numbers, and nuclear planning makes Zapad especially tense for NATO capitals nearby. […]
Belarus has tried to present Zapad-2025 as transparent, inviting foreign observers to watch the drills. More than 20 countries are involved in some form, either as participants or observers, which gives the exercise a multinational flavor.
The list is a mixed bag. On the participant side are Belarus, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Congo, Mali, India, Iran, Niger, and Tajikistan.
Observers include Cambodia, China, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nicaragua, North Korea, Pakistan, Serbia, Thailand, the UAE, and Uzbekistan.
India has sent a 70-member team to Russia for the drills. While China and Pakistan are grouped together, India has been placed in a separate contingent.
The Indian contingent consists of 65 personnel, including 57 from the Army, seven from the Air Force, and one from the Navy. The Army team is led by a battalion of the Kumaon Regiment, supported by troops from other arms and services. Even so, the symbolism is striking; this is the first time since Operation Sindoor that Indian and Pakistani forces are part of the same military exercise, even if they are not training side by side. Having rivals like India and Pakistan under the same umbrella adds weight to Zapad’s international dimension. Läs artikel