In an era marked by shifting alliances and global uncertainty, India’s dispatch of a 65-member contingent for the multilateral Exercise ZAPAD 2025 in Russia signals far more than routine military cooperation. This exercise arrives at a time when the world’s attention is fixed on joint operational readiness against evolving hybrid threats, and New Delhi’s choice to participate is both strategic and symbolic.
ZAPAD 2025 will bring together forces from across Eurasia for joint drills focused on counter-terrorism, peacekeeping, and modern battlefield integration. Indian troops will engage with elite Russian and Central Asian units, honing skills that are directly applicable to real-world contingencies on India’s northern and western borders.
Indian defence planners view ZAPAD as a proving ground. “You don’t just build interoperability here, you build lasting trust,” remarks a retired Major General, hinting at deeper-than-surface ties. The real takeaway: India’s message to adversaries is clear—its military relationships are both agile and robust. As New Delhi leverages these drills, it sets the stage for increased security collaboration beyond the subcontinent.
