India has reaffirmed again that it is a strategic ally of Russia by attending the Zapad 2025 joint military exercise which was hosted by Russia and Belarus. The decision has elicited mixed feelings among the Western countries, most of whom consider it as the Indian crossing a red line when tension is already high on Russia-Ukraine war and eastern fronts by NATO.
India's Participation
India, symbolically speaking, also delivered a group of 65 soldiers to the five-day exercise. The actual exercise consists of over 100, 000 troops, 333 aircraft, 247 naval vessels and above 45 airfields and is one of the largest military exercises in recent times. Section four of the report focuses on India; although they might not be numerically strong, their political weight is enormous, as it is a show of unity with Russia and Belarus, at a time when the NATO is alert.
Western Concerns
The involvement in the Ukraine conflict was depicted by the western media, especially in Europe, as a departure of India taking the neutral position on the conflict. The commentators opined that participating in a drill to prepare against the possibility of war with NATO sends a powerful diplomatic message. There was even a call to limit the Indian visas in Europe and the uneasiness was increasing.
India's Longstanding Role
This is not the first occasion when India is participating in Zapad exercises. In 2021 New Delhi took part but the exercises were canceled upon the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022. Re-entering the exercise highlights how decades of defense ties between Moscow and India have supported re-entry into the exercise which has involved arms sales, technology transfer, and joint training.
Wider Participation
Such other countries as Bangladesh, Iran, China, Myanmar, Kazakhstan, Cuba and the UAE also participated in the exercise, which demonstrated a wide range of countries other than the immediate allies of Russia.
Geopolitical Balancing
This move by India is coming at a time when it is discussing a possible Free Trade Agreement with European Union and is still enhancing its status in the Quad together with United States, Japan, and Australia. The shift brings out the multi-alignment approach of India, which involves the relationships that it has with rival blocs in order to protect its national interest.
Symbolism and Diplomacy
The importance of the exercises was additional when Russian president Vladimir Putin was present in military uniform during the exercises. To Russia, the presence of India gives more weight to the perception of not being isolated by the world. To India, it is an effort to juggle between strategic independence and practical defense diplomacy.
Conclusion
Western capitals might consider the role of India in Zapad 2025 provoking, but New Delhi seems to be strongly resolute in having an independent foreign policy. Its involvement sends a strong signal that India will keep cooperating with Russia at the same time as its involvement in the West and its national interest will be taken first before it bows to outside demands.