Proud of Indian Armed Forces' contingent participating in Victory Day Parade: Rajnath Singh in Russia

Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, Singh said, "Impressive turnout of the Tri-Service contingent of the Indian Armed Forces at the Victory Day Parade in Moscow is indeed an extremely proud and happy moment for me.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday attended the Victory Day Parade in Russia and expressed pride and happiness for the tri-service contingent of the Indian Armed Forces participating in the parade. He arrived in Moscow on a three-day visit on June 23 at the invitation of the Russian Ministry of Defence to attend the 75th Anniversary of the parade at Red Square in Moscow.

Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, Singh said, "Attending the Victory Day Parade at Red Square in Moscow today to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Victory of the Soviet People in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. I am proud that a Tri-Service contingent of the Indian Armed Forces is also participating in this parade."

He also tweeted, "Impressive turnout of the Tri-Service contingent of the Indian Armed Forces at the Victory Day Parade in Moscow is indeed an extremely proud and happy moment for me.

The Tri-service 75-member Indian military contingent is participating in the parade. The Indian team is participating alongside armed forces personnel from at least 11 countries, including China.

On June 23, he called on Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov and the two leaders held discussions on the bilateral relationship, regional issues, and reviewed the India-Russia defence cooperation. Singh also conveyed his greetings for the solemn ceremonies of the 75th Victory Day and congratulated the "friendly" people of Russia, especially the veterans, who have contributed to the common security of India and Russia, an official statement said on Tuesday.

Impressive turnout of the Tri-Service contingent of the Indian Armed Forces at the Victory Day Parade in Moscow is indeed an extremely proud and happy moment for me. pic.twitter.com/csEKNGKFLU — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 24, 2020

Attending the Victory Day Parade at Red Square in Moscow today to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Victory of the Soviet People in the great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

I am proud that a Tri-Service contingent of the Indian Armed Forces is also participating in this parade. pic.twitter.com/0zBiaKH5r1 — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 24, 2020

Russia postponed its military parade traditionally held on Moscow's Red Square on May 9 for a later date due to the coronavirus pandemic.

On May 26, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the Victory Parade would be held on Moscow's Red Square on June 24, TASS news agency reported. He explained that this was chosen because, on June 24, 1945, the legendary historic parade of victors took place, when soldiers, who fought for Moscow and defended Leningrad, who stood their ground for Stalingrad, liberated Europe and stormed Berlin, marched on Red Square, the report added.

Singh is the first senior union minister to undertake a foreign visit in four months as international travels were restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic. He travelled by an Indian Air Force aircraft, while strictly following all laid precautions against the coronavirus infection.