Watch: India, Russia conduct joint military exercise in Uttar Pradesh

The Indian and Russian armies conducted their bi-annual joint military exercise, 'INDRA 2018', on Tuesday (November 27) in northern city of Jhansi aimed at boosting defence cooperation between the two countries.

The fifth army of the Russian Federation and the Indian army's mechanized infantry battalion with as many as 500 soldiers, 250 from each side took part in the exercise.

The drills in the exercise under the banner of the United Nations aimed to emphasise training to enhance team building, house intervention, peacemaking operations, and strengthening special tactical operations and learn about arms and ammunition.

Russian major general Oleg Tsekove said: Today was the third part (of the exercise) and we saw how Indian and Russian units act together in a live tactical situation in the field."

"The exercise today has proved one more time that it is possible to fight terrorism together, and this is what was shown today by Russian and Indian units," the Russian general added.

Military ties between the two countries date back to the Soviet era, when India entirely depended on Moscow to equip its armed forces. The United States has since taken over as India's top arms supplier.

Lt General R P Singh, commander of Sudharshan Chakra brigade said: "The exercise was conducted on a joint level so that the armies of Russia and India can understand the potential of each other and in times of need under the United Nations multinational force can work together."