MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian Defense Ministry said that "an official closing ceremony of the first Russian-Indian drills involving various types of armed forces, Indra-2017, has taken place at the water-sports site of [Russia's] Pacific Fleet in Vladivostok."
The representatives of the Russian Pacific Fleet, the Eastern Military District, Indian Armed Forces as well as parade ship crews, marine squads, motorized rifles, pilots of both countries, silent drill platoons and the Pacific Fleet's orchestra participated in the ceremony, according to the defense ministry statement.
Battle Obstacle Course being negotiated by jt teams of Indian and Russian Army at #INDRA2017 pic.twitter.com/BNQ5IzDkss
— HQ IDS (@HQ_IDS_India) 29 октября 2017 г.
Indian and Russian armoured response during the course of simulated exercise at #Indra2017 today pic.twitter.com/liBXu23pzw
— HQ IDS (@HQ_IDS_India) 28 октября 2017 г.
Indian ambassador Pankaj Saran said that the theme of the joint exercise — counter-terrorism, is relevant and such exercises pose barrier to terrorists.
READ MORE: Russia, India to Train Naval, Air Blockade During Joint Exercises Indra-2017
At the Sergeevsky Range, the ground forces of the two countries held a joint training exercise to repel simulated terrorist attacks.
The Indra-2017 drills were held between October 19 and 29, involving over 400 Indian servicemen and approximately 1,000 Russian troops. The purpose of the exercises was to train military command, coordinate activity, practice tactical maneuvers for combined units and improve the interaction between Russian and Indian servicemen.
In honor of completing the INDRA-2017 exercise, a parade was held during which the leaders of the exercise from the Russian and Indian sides, the deputy commander of the Eastern Military, Lieutenant-General Sergei Solomatin and the commander of the Indian land division, Major-General Nudurupati Durga Prasad, greeted the servicemen of the two countries.
This was the first time when various types of Russian-Indian armed forces participated together in joint drills. In 2016, the two countries held separate air, navy and land forces drills.
