Russia on Monday sent three transport planes carrying troops and materiel to India for joint military exercises.
Three Ilyushin planes took off from an airfield near the north-western city of Pskov carrying 100 men from an airborne division, as well as two military vehicles and more than 20 tons of equipment and supplies, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported, citing air force commander Gen Vladimir Mikhailov.
The October 10-19 exercises, with an anti-terror theme, will involve naval ships and airborne troops.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said late last month that a nuclear submarine and a group of Pacific Fleet ships had left for the Indian Ocean.
The manoeuvres will follow August exercises held by Russia jointly with China, which some analysts said appeared to be aimed at demonstrating the capabilities of Russian military equipment. Some Russian officials also view cooperation with China and India as a way to balance US global clout.
