Indian troops have arrived in Russia to participate in counterterrorism drills, opening the possibility of the two countries to take on extremism in third countries.
The Indra-2021 exercises are taking place in Russia’s Volgograd Region, a spokesman for Southern Military District (SMD) told reporters on Sunday.
"At the Gumrak airport, Volgograd, a group of 250 soldiers of the Indian armed forces arrived to take part in the Indra-2021 international exercise," Vadim Astafyev said.
Upon arrival, the Indian soldiers headed to the field camp located at the SMD Prudboy ground in the Volgograd Region.
Also read: India and Russia to hold joint military exercise near Volgograd this August
Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad, is a city in southwest Russia, on the western bank of the Volga River. It was the site of WWII’s Battle of Stalingrad. The city is no stranger to terror strikes. In December 2013 the city was rocked by two separate suicide attacks targeting the transportation system of the city.
The nearly fortnight long exercise will from August 1-13 and involve 250 soldiers from either side. The exercise will involve the motor-rifle, tank, and artillery units , backed by troops engaged in intelligence gathering.
Started in 2003, Indra exercises are meant to send a strong message to the world that the two militaries can work together for conducting peacekeeping operations under the UN flag.
