India joined the Russia-led Zapad military exercise earlier this week — sparking fresh alarm amid NATO countries. Ties between the two nations have been heavily scrutinised in recent months as the US government imposed sweeping sanctions and sought to end the Ukraine war. The India-US relationship had also taken a hit after President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff against most imports over continued purchase of Russian oil.
The war games were held in the Nizhny Novgorod region of Russia and included a 65 member contingent from the Indian Armed Forces. The group joined around 100,000 troops — led by Russia and Belarus — for a variety of drills, including the launch of Russian tactical nuclear weapons and deployment of the hypersonic Oreshnik missile. Official statements cited the “longstanding defence relationship with Russia” to underscore Indian involvement.
The war games come at a crucial time — with some analysts calling it a bid to intimidate other European countries. It also took place mere days after a swarm of Russian drones flew into Poland in what officials regarded as a deliberate provocation. NATO had responded by bolstering air defences along its eastern flank, while Poland led major counter-exercises. It is also pertinent to note that these events have taken place within a matter of weeks after the US-Russia summit in Alaska failed to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine.
US military observes Russia-Belarus war games
The Pentagon confirmed on Tuesday that US military officials had observed the joint war games — accepting an invite for the first time since 2022. The presence of the US officers, less than a week after neighboring Poland shot down Russian drones that crossed into its airspace, is the latest sign that Washington is seeking to warm ties with Belarus. Western foreign policy analysts speculate that Trump may be trying to peel Belarus away from Russia, a strategy widely viewed as unlikely to succeed, or to exploit its close ties with Moscow to promote a deal to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump, who has suggested that the drone incursion may have been the result of a mistake, last week lifted sanctions on Belarus national airline Belavia, allowing it to service and buy components for its fleet, which includes Boeing aircraft. He did so after Lukashenko – who regularly talks to Russian President Vladimir Putin and was given a friendly hand-signed letter from Trump by Coale – agreed to free 52 prisoners, including journalists and political opponents. Belarusian Defence Minister Viktor Khrenikov personally greeted the two US officers, who shook his hand and, speaking in Russian, thanked him for inviting them.
India, Russia and the US
Ties between the countries had come under severe strain last month as the POTUS imposed a 50% tariff against India for its continued purchase of Russian oil. Top aides had also held New Delhi responsible for ongoing ‘bloodshed’ in Ukraine — claiming that India was indirectly financing the Russian war and being a “laundromat for the Kremlin”.
India has also taken steps to improve its bonds with Russia amid the recent upheaval — with much being said about the easy camaraderie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping during the recent SCO Summit.
President Trump heralded a thaw last week — referring to Modi as a close friend and reiterating the “special relationship” between the US and India. Both leaders had also pledged to resume talks and voiced confidence in unlocking the “limitless potential” of a trade relationship.