Chinese troops will be deployed to Russia to participate in joint exercises with Russia and other countries including India, Belarus, and Tajikistan, China’s Defence Ministry announced today.

China’s participation in the joint exercises is “not related to the current international and regional situation,” the ministry said in the statement.

The drills are part of a bilateral cooperation agreement, according to the same source. Similar joint exercises led by Russia and with the participation of China have taken place in recent years, Reuters notes.

“The goal is to deepen practical and friendly cooperation with the militaries of the participating countries, expand the level of strategic cooperation between the participating parties, and enhance the ability to respond to various security threats,” the statement said.