Russia, India to begin joint military drill

Russia and India will begin joint INDRA-2012 anti-terrorism military exercises in the Siberian republic of Buryatia on Sunday, a spokesman for Russia's Eastern Military District said. The drills will be held at the Burduny training range until August 16, according to Russian (RIA Novosti) News Agency. On Sunday, Russian and Indian troops will arrive at the training range and begin preparing for an active phase of the exercises, which will begin on August 13, the spokesman said. Some 500 servicemen – about 250 on each side – will take part in the drills, which will be conducted using Russian-made combat vehicles. Since 2003, India and Russia have conducted five INDRA-series joint ground and naval exercises. The last such exercise was held in India in October 2010. Russia cancelled both INDRA-series ground and naval exercises last year despite an earlier announcement by the Russian General Staff that INDRA drills may be held every year and involve three branches of the armed forces. India is the world's largest arms importer and a key buyer of Russian weaponry. In 2007-2011, Delhi purchased some $12.7 billion in arms, 80% of that from Russia, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).