As Pakistan gloats over hosting 70 Russians, 250 Indian Army soldiers renew bonds in Vladivostok

New Delhi: Ever since 70 Russian soldiers landed in Islamabad for the first ever joint military drill between the two nations, the Pakistani media and social commentators have been gloating over what was been seen as policy shift by Kremlin.

However, what did not occupy their attention – or they conveniently ignored - was that 250 men from the Indian Army contingent were welcomed by the Russians the very same day at Vladivostok.

The ongoing ‘Indra 2016’ is the eight edition of joint military exercises between the two long-standing partner nations.

The main focus of this edition of the joint exercise is on ‘Counter-Terrorism Operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain under United Nations Mandate’. 

To achieve interoperability in joint operations, troops from both sides would acquaint themselves with the respective approach to such operations. 

250 soldiers of the Kumaon Regiment are representing the Indian Army and the Russian Army is being represented by 250 soldiers from the 59th Motorized Infantry Brigade.

Check out some wonderful pictures of the bonhomie:

The #IndianArmy contingent arrived Russia for Indo-Russia Jt Mil Ex #Indra2016. 11 days Ex begins tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/JHM7z0Od03 — ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) September 22, 2016

Indo-Russia Joint Military Exercise #INDRA2016 began today in the Ussiriysk district in Vladivostok,Russia. pic.twitter.com/naheTgeD8H — ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) September 23, 2016

Est of a Jt Planning Centre during Counter Terrorist Ops being rehearsed during Exercise #Indra2016 pic.twitter.com/XD8uMvvd3D — ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) September 26, 2016

Indo-Russian joint military exercise #INDRA2016 begins in Russia.. pic.twitter.com/OjVmZRhVAO — Praveen Upadhyaya (@PraveenraoU) September 23, 2016