Indian troops in Russia-Belarus War Games: Why New Delhi's participation in Zapad-2025 has uneased NATO and US

Belarus' military helicopters fire during the "Zapad-2025" (West-2025) joint Russian-Belarusian military drills at a training ground near the town of Borisov, east of the capital Minsk, on September 15, 2025. (Photo by Olesya KURPYAYEVA / AFP)

India’s decision to send 65 armed forces personnel to participate in the Russian-Belarussian military exercise Zapad 2025 has raised eyebrows across the West, highlighting the delicate balancing act New Delhi maintains between Moscow and Washington. The five-day war games, which concluded on Tuesday, included rehearsals for the launch of Russian tactical nuclear weapons and the deployment of the hypersonic Oreshnik missile that Moscow test-fired last year in Ukraine.

While India’s involvement underscores long-standing defence ties with Russia, it also comes at a time when relations with the United States and NATO are under strain, particularly over India’s continued purchases of Russian oil amid the war in Ukraine and the imposition of hefty tariffs by President Donald Trump.

About Zapad 2025

According to Russian state agency TASS, Zapad 2025 involved around 100,000 soldiers and featured rehearsals of conventional and nuclear operations. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said that the inclusion of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in the drills was natural. “We are practising everything there. They (the West) know this too; we are not hiding it. From firing conventional small arms to nuclear warheads. Again, we must be able to do all this. Otherwise, why would they be on Belarusian territory?” Lukashenko was quoted as saying by Belarusian state news agency BelTA. He added, “But we are absolutely not planning to threaten anyone with this.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to the Nizhny Novgorod region to observe the exercises. Wearing military attire, he listened to briefings from Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and his deputy. Putin said the exercises were intended to rehearse elements of defending the “union state” of Russia and Belarus. The drills also highlighted operational collaboration between Russia and Belarus, including logistics, joint command simulations, and the launch of hypersonic missiles that have previously been deployed in Ukraine.

India’s participation

India’s Ministry of Defence confirmed the deployment of 65 personnel, including a battalion from the Kumaon Regiment, to participate in Zapad 2025. India has previously joined Russian exercises; in 2021, New Delhi sent troops to Russia’s Volgograd region to take part in drills focused on “Counter Terrorism and Conventional operations.” Such engagements reinforce the operational compatibility of Indian and Russian forces, which is crucial given that a significant portion of India’s armed forces continues to operate Russian-origin equipment. While India is pursuing its 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative to enhance domestic defence production, reducing dependence on foreign systems will be a long-term endeavour.

Participation in Zapad 2025 underscores India’s desire to maintain robust military ties with Russia. This relationship, rooted in decades of defence cooperation dating back to the Cold War, ensures India’s armed forces remain trained to operate Russian-origin equipment and strengthens bilateral strategic trust. Analysts argue that the presence of Indian troops at the drills also signals continuity in operational collaboration, sending a message about New Delhi’s commitment to preserving these ties despite the geopolitical shifts caused by the war in Ukraine.

The Western unease: US and NATO reactions

Zapad 2025 has caused concern among Western countries, particularly NATO members. The exercises took place on the borders of NATO member Poland, a country that has already experienced 11 Russian airspace incursions since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Just a week before the drills, Poland and NATO reported shooting down Russian drones that crossed into Polish airspace. Analysts cited in international media believe the exercises were intended to intimidate Europe, starting with Poland.

The US confirmed that its military officials observed the drills after accepting an invitation from Belarus, with Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stating, “It is a common practice between militaries.” The Pentagon emphasised that this participation followed “recent productive bilateral engagements between our countries,” indicating that observing such drills does not imply strategic alignment with Russia. Nevertheless, India’s presence in these exercises complicates the perception of its role in global geopolitics, particularly for Washington, which views New Delhi as a key strategic partner in Asia against China.

In Europe, the response has also been cautious. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas noted, “… it is about defending rules-based international order (and) participating in military exercises, the purchase of oil… these are obstacles to our cooperation.” While she acknowledged India would not “completely decouple” from Russian energy supplies, Kallas emphasised the need for dialogue to manage these issues, underscoring European unease with India’s dual engagement strategy.

India-Russia relations

India’s decision to participate reflects the enduring military and strategic relationship with Russia. Historically, India sourced most of its defence hardware from the Soviet Union and later Russia. Even as India has diversified its defence imports, the reliance on Russian equipment remains substantial. Joint exercises strengthen interoperability, ensure Indian troops are proficient with Russian systems, and maintain mutual trust at the tactical and operational levels.

The timing of participation is also noteworthy. Zapad 2025 occurs amid heightened tensions with the US over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil and the imposition of tariffs by the Trump administration. Despite these strains, India has managed to keep trade negotiations and diplomatic channels open, signaling an ability to maintain relations with Washington while pursuing strategic autonomy in its military and energy policies.

Energy, economics and geopolitics

India’s engagement at Zapad 2025 intersects with broader economic and energy concerns. India has sought Russian oil to meet its rapidly growing energy demands, saving billions of dollars compared to alternative sources. Delhi has defended these purchases as financially prudent, pointing to perceived double standards: European countries continue to buy Russian gas without facing US sanctions, while China remains largely exempt from punitive tariffs despite significant oil purchases. The interplay of energy security, trade, and defence relations highlights the complex calculus India must navigate to balance Western expectations and national priorities.

India-US relations: Managing strains amid strategic autonomy

The US-India relationship has experienced turbulence in recent months. Following the imposition of tariffs on Indian goods by the Trump administration, bilateral talks have sought to address trade barriers while avoiding a direct confrontation. India has maintained its red lines, particularly regarding price-sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy, without jeopardising broader strategic cooperation. Analysts suggest that India’s handling of the US issue reflects diplomatic adroitness, balancing trade pressures while preserving long-term security and economic interests.

The late-night birthday call from President Trump to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, although primarily a personal gesture, also signals a potential reset in India-US relations. It underscores the importance both sides place on maintaining dialogue despite ongoing differences. However, India’s involvement at Zapad 2025 demonstrates that strategic autonomy remains central to New Delhi’s foreign policy, with India willing to engage Russia for military readiness and energy security, even as it maintains dialogue with Washington.

Iran, Russia and regional alignment

Zapad 2025 also highlighted the growing strategic alignment between Russia and other partners, including Iran. According to TASS, Iranian troops participated, although official confirmation remains limited. Tehran has supplied Moscow with Shahed drones and ballistic missiles and signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty with Russia this year. The presence of Iran at these exercises underscores the broader multi-national dimensions of the drills, extending beyond the immediate Russia-Belarus axis and reflecting Moscow’s effort to cultivate strategic depth in the region.

Implications for NATO and European security

The exercises served as a stark reminder for NATO and its European partners about the evolving military landscape on their eastern flank. The drills’ inclusion of tactical nuclear weapons and hypersonic missile launches, combined with proximity to NATO territory, has intensified concerns in Brussels and Warsaw. Analysts argue that such exercises, including India’s participation, highlight the fluidity of global alliances and the potential for perceptions of deterrence to intersect with real strategic concerns.

Takeaways for India

India’s participation in Zapad 2025 conveys several strategic messages. It strengthens operational ties with Russia, ensures readiness to operate Russian-origin systems, and asserts India’s strategic autonomy in a multipolar world. It also demonstrates India’s ability to maintain a nuanced balance with the US and EU while safeguarding its national interests in energy and defence. However, the presence at Russian-led exercises near NATO borders will inevitably be monitored closely, underscoring the fine line India walks between operational cooperation and diplomatic signalling.

India’s approach illustrates a broader foreign policy trend: New Delhi is willing to engage multiple global partners on equal terms, prioritizing national interests while navigating the complex web of global geopolitics. The Zapad 2025 exercises exemplify how India leverages historical ties, energy needs, and defence cooperation to maintain strategic flexibility without compromising its long-term relationships with Western allies.