The Times: India "crosses red line" by joining Russian-Belarusian military drills

India has sent troops to participate in large-scale Russian-led war games simulating conflict with NATO, a move that The Times described as “crossing a red line” amid worsening ties between Delhi and Washington.

According to the report, about 30,000 Russian and Belarusian soldiers are taking part in the Zapad exercise, which spans vast areas from bases east of Moscow and the Arctic to the Baltic Sea and the western border of Belarus, close to Poland and Lithuania. The drills include ballistic missile launches and simulated airstrikes.

The Indian Ministry of Defence confirmed it had dispatched 65 personnel, among them members of the Kumaon Regiment, one of the army’s most prestigious units. They are stationed at the Mulino training ground, located about 40 miles west of Nizhny Novgorod, far from NATO’s frontier.

Delhi explained its participation as an effort to “further strengthen defence co-operation and foster camaraderie between India and Russia, thereby reinforcing the spirit of collaboration and mutual trust.” The ministry noted that Indian troops will join Russian forces in “joint training, tactical drills and special arms skills.”

India, which has maintained a policy of strategic non-alignment since the early Cold War, has long relied on close military ties with Moscow and remains one of the largest buyers of Russian arms. It had also participated in earlier Zapad exercises prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as well as in several other joint drills in recent years.

Nevertheless, analysts quoted by The Times said India’s decision to take part in the current exercise is troubling, given escalating tensions between Russia and NATO.

The alliance recently reinforced its air defences on the eastern flank after 21 Russian drones violated Polish airspace last week, while another crossed into Romania during attacks on Ukraine over the weekend.

By Tamilla Hasanova