Zapad-2025 Military Drills – India’s Participation
1. Context
Zapad (meaning West in Russian) is a large-scale military exercise conducted by Russia and Belarus, traditionally focused on Europe-facing security threats.
The 2025 edition of the exercise has gained global attention due to heightened tensions from the Ukraine war and Russia’s growing military assertiveness.
These drills are also seen as a signal to NATO and the West, showcasing Russian readiness, including the possible use of tactical nuclear weapons.
2. India’s Participation
65 Indian armed forces personnel were sent, as confirmed by the Indian Ministry of Defence.
This is not the first time India has joined:
In 2021, India participated in exercises in Russia’s Volgograd region, focused on Counter-Terrorism and Conventional Operations.
India’s involvement underscores its long-standing defence ties with Russia, even as it maintains growing security cooperation with the United States and QUAD partners.
3. Key Highlights of Zapad-2025 Drill
Scale of Participation:
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed 100,000 troops took part.
Observed directly by Putin in Nizhny Novgorod region.
Major Components:
Rehearsal of Tactical Nuclear Weapons Launches by Russia and Belarus.
Deployment of Oreshnik hypersonic missile, first used against Ukraine in November 2024.
Integration of both conventional and nuclear warfare scenarios.
Belarusian Role:
Belarus confirmed nuclear rehearsals took place on its territory.
President Alexander Lukashenko openly admitted: “We are practising everything – from small arms to nuclear warheads.”
Emphasized it was for defence, not aggression.
4. Geopolitical Context & Implications
India–Russia Relations:
Defence ties remain strong (Russia is India’s largest arms supplier).
India continues to buy discounted Russian oil during the Ukraine war.
India–US Relations:
Strained by:
US disapproval of India’s Russian oil imports.
Past trade disputes (e.g., Trump-era tariffs).
India walks a strategic balancing act: strengthening QUAD ties while not alienating Moscow.
Europe’s Concerns:
NATO and Poland reported shooting down Russian drones in Polish airspace just before the drills.
Western analysts argue these multi-nation exercises are designed to intimidate Europe and signal nuclear readiness.
Russia–Belarus “Union State”:
Putin described the drills as rehearsing defence of the Union State of Russia and Belarus, strengthening their military integration.
5. Why It Matters for UPSC
IR (International Relations):
India’s strategic autonomy in foreign policy → balancing US & Russia.
Importance of multipolarity in global politics.
Security & Defence:
India’s participation in multilateral drills = defence diplomacy tool.
Exposure to different operational doctrines.
Current Affairs:
Highlights nuclear risks in Europe.
Shows growing Russia–Belarus axis.
Essay/GS-II/GS-III Angle:
“India’s balancing act in global geopolitics”.
“Significance of defence diplomacy in shaping strategic autonomy”.
✅ In short:
India’s participation in Zapad-2025 reflects its continued engagement with Russia in defence cooperation despite Western disapproval, while the drills themselves underline Russia’s nuclear signalling and Europe’s security anxieties.
