Russia Highlights “Indra” Drills, SCO Missions in Defense Push

In a speech emphasizing deep military integration, Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov highlighted the joint trilateral “Indra” exercises, the latest of which “concluded yesterday in Rajasthan,” as proof of the unique defense partnership.
Alipov also pointed to “participation in multilateral naval exercises such as Milan and the SCO anti-terrorist drills peace mission” as examples of the shared operational doctrine between Russia and India.
This “unique cooperation,” he explained, is “rooted in battlefield experience” that Russia shares with India, which has formed the “backbone” of India’s military for 60 years.
This emphasis on joint operations was part of a larger announcement of a new defense push. Alipov proposed co-production of the Su-57 fighter, drones, and other “force multipliers.”
The timing is key, following Donald Trump’s claim that India would stop buying Russian oil. Russia’s message is that its partnership is not just about equipment (like the 70% it supplies), but about shared, practical experience.