https://sputniknews.in/20250919/india-rebuts-eu-criticism-over-participation-in-russian-belarusian-drills-9796427.html
India Rebuts EU Criticism over Participation in Russian-Belarusian Drills
India Rebuts EU Criticism over Participation in Russian-Belarusian Drills
Sputnik India
New Delhi has said that the participation of 65-troop strong Indian military contingent in Zapad 2025 multinational drills was aimed at strengthening India-Russia defence cooperation and camaraderie.
2025-09-19T20:04+0530
2025-09-19T20:04+0530
2025-09-19T20:04+0530
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India has rejected European Union's (EU) criticism over participation of an Indian military contingent in the joint Russian-Belarusian Zapad-2025 multinational drills that took place between 10 and 16 September.Responding to a question at the weekly briefing in New Delhi on Friday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the "objectives" of New Delhi's participation in the multinational drills have been clearly spelled out by the Indian Defence Ministry.The EU foreign policy chief remarked that "India's participation in Russia's military exercises and its purchase of Russian oil stand in the way of closer ties", as New Delhi and Brussels finalise a strategic agenda and negotiate a free trade pact.A press statement by the Indian Defence Ministry on 9 September said that ZAPAD 2025 was aimed at "enhancing military cooperation, improving interoperability, and providing a platform for participating armies to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures in the domains of conventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations".Twenty-five foreign delegations arrived for the Zapad-2025 drills, according to a Russian readout.The Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova has slammed the EU for its critical comments directed at India-Russia military ties."When will the West finally understand the futility, and frankly, the absurdity, of attempting to give orders to countries that pursue a sovereign foreign policy. This of course remains an open question, especially when it comes to countries like India," the Russian MFA spokesperson asked.
https://sputniknews.in/20250913/second-day-of-joint-strategic-exercises-zapad-2025-begins-natos-concern-grows-9754532.html
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India Rebuts EU Criticism over Participation in Russian-Belarusian Drills
New Delhi has said that the participation of 65-troop strong Indian military contingent in Zapad 2025 multinational drills was aimed at strengthening India-Russia defence cooperation and camaraderie.
India has rejected European Union's (EU) criticism over participation of an Indian military contingent in the joint Russian-Belarusian Zapad-2025 multinational drills that took place between 10 and 16 September.
Responding to a question at the weekly briefing in New Delhi on Friday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the "objectives" of New Delhi's participation in the multinational drills have been clearly spelled out by the Indian Defence Ministry.
"I would also, at the same time, like to point out that several other countries, including NATO countries, such as the United States, Türkiye and Hungary, have also participated in these exercises as observers," Jaiswal said, in reaction to EU's High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas' comments this week.
The EU foreign policy chief remarked that "India's participation in Russia's military exercises and its
purchase of Russian oil stand in the way of closer ties", as New Delhi and Brussels finalise a strategic agenda and negotiate a free trade pact.
A press statement by the Indian Defence Ministry on 9 September said that ZAPAD 2025 was aimed at "enhancing military cooperation, improving interoperability, and providing a platform for participating armies to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures in the domains of conventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations".
"Participation in Exercise ZAPAD 2025 will further strengthen defence cooperation and foster camaraderie between India and Russia, thereby reinforcing the spirit of collaboration and mutual trust," it said.
Twenty-five foreign delegations arrived for the Zapad-2025 drills, according to a Russian readout.
The Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova has slammed the EU for its critical comments directed at India-Russia military ties.
"In essence, it is just another form of
shameless pressure on our Indian friends in attempts to prevent them from cooperating, engaging and communicating with Russia," Zakharova told a Russian Foreign Ministry briefing in Moscow.
"When will the West finally understand the futility, and frankly, the absurdity, of attempting to give orders to countries that pursue a sovereign foreign policy. This of course remains an open question, especially when it comes to countries like India," the Russian MFA spokesperson asked.
