New Delhi: The multilateral strategic and command Exercise Vostok – 2022 commenced on September 1 at the training grounds of the Eastern Military District of Russia and will culminate on September 7. An Indian Army contingent of troops from 7/8 Gorkha Rifles is participating and they will be undertaking joint manoeuvres. These will include firepower exercises, joint field training exercises, and combat discussions and will take place at seven different locations.
“The exercise is aimed at coordination and interaction amongst the participating military contingents and observers,” an official statement of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) stated.
The Indian Army Contingent will share practical aspects and also put into practice the validated procedures, drills, and through discussions to practice amalgamation of new technology and also tactical exercises, the statement said.
Russia has deployed a large number of troops to participate in the Vostok 22 military drill, despite the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. According to reports, Paratroopers, other units including the Air Force, are expected to test their combat readiness which is going to be across 13 military training grounds in that country, the Sea of Okhotsk, the Sea of Japan exercises and the Far Eastern Federal District.
India has decided not to be part of the maritime component as it will hurt the sensitivities of Japan. The warships of the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) will however be participating in the drill to take place in the Sea of Japan and Sea of Okhotsk. The drill will demonstrate their capabilities to defend the sea lanes, and areas of maritime economic activity.
Exercise Vostok-2022 will be conducted in two phases. Participating contingents include observers from the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and other partner states including Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Laos, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Syria and Tajikistan, said Russian Deputy Defence Minister Colonel General Alexander for foreign military attachés in a briefing in Moscow.
Almost 50 troops of different militaries, 140 aircraft, 60 warships, and almost five thousand military equipment are participating in the drills.
According to reports, Tokyo objected to Russia holding the maritime component of Vostok 2022 close to Northern Territories — Southern Kuril Island which is claimed by both. Media reports have quoted Hirokazu Matsuno, the Chief Cabinet Secretary of the Japanese Government, as expressing concerns to Russia over the maritime drills so close to the territory of Japan.
On August 31, the US had expressed its concerns over India participating in the exercises with Russia. White House Press Secretary Jean-Pierre has said that it is worrying for any other country to conduct military exercises with Russia, which has been waging an unprovoked and barbaric war with Ukraine.
Defending India’s participation in the exercises in response to US criticism, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said,
“India has been regularly participating in multilateral exercises in Russia, along with a number of other countries.” He stressed that the Vostok exercises were routine, and added that they would only include Army contingents.
