India-Russia ZAPAD 2025 Joint Military Exercise

Why in the News ?

India’s Armed Forces are participating in the multilateral ZAPAD 2025 military exercise in Russia starting tomorrow. The seven-day drill focuses on conventional warfare, counter-terrorism operations, and enhancing interoperability between forces, strengthening India-Russia defence ties amid evolving global security dynamics, including challenges faced in regions like Manipur and the broader Northeast India, where the Manipur crisis has highlighted the need for effective security strategies.

Details about ZAPAD 2025 Exercise:

• The ZAPAD 2025 exercise begins in Russia tomorrow and will last for seven days.
• It is a multilateral joint military exercise aimed at enhancing military cooperation and interoperability among participating nations, addressing various security challenges including those similar to the insurgency in Manipur and ongoing protests.
• The exercise provides a platform for troops to exchange tactics, techniques, and procedures in conventional warfare and counter-terrorism, which could be relevant to situations like the ethnic clashes in Manipur’s Imphal Valley and Churachandpur district, involving Meitei militants and other groups such as Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun.
• Key activities include joint planning, tactical drills, and deployment of special arms skills in open and plain terrain.
• The exercise simulates realistic combat environments to hone joint operational capabilities and test emerging technologies, potentially applicable to counter-insurgency operations in regions like Manipur, where the situation remains tense due to ongoing unrest in Manipur.

Indian Armed Forces Participation:

• The Indian contingent is led by a battalion from the Kumaon Regiment.
• The full contingent includes: • 57 personnel from the Indian Army • 7 personnel from the Indian Air Force • 1 personnel from the Indian Navy
• The Defence Ministry stated the exercise enables the Indian forces to operate effectively in a multinational combat environment, which could be beneficial for addressing complex situations like the Manipur war and ongoing crisis in the region.
• The focus is on joint company-level operations, improving command-and-control capabilities.
• The participation highlights India’s growing emphasis on international defence cooperation and strategic military partnerships, which could inform approaches to resolving conflicts like those seen in Manipur between Kuki and Meitei communities, and potentially contribute to peace negotiations in the region, including addressing issues related to Chin refugees.