Indian Armed Forces Tri-Service Contingent marches at Red Square in Moscow as part of 75th Victory Day Parade of World War II

The Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who is on a three-day visit to Russia also attended the parade.

Photo: Twitter@rajnathsingh

The Indian Armed Forces Tri-Service Contingent on Wednesday (June 24) marched at the Red Square in Moscow (Russia) as a part of the 75th Anniversary of Victory Day Parade of the World War II. 

The Tri-Service contingent of the Indian Armed Forces comprised of 75 all ranks and marched along with contingents of Russian Armed Forces and 17 other countries.

The Union Defence Minister who is on a three-day visit to Russia also attended the parade and 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."

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

The British Indian Armed Forces during World War-II were one of the largest Allied Forces contingents which took part in the North and East African Campaign, Western Desert Campaign and the European Theatre against the Axis powers.

These campaigns witnessed sacrifice by over 87 thousand Indian servicemen beside 34,354 being wounded.

The Indian Military not only fought on all fronts but also ensured delivery of goods along the Southern, Trans-Iranian Lend-Lease route, along which weapons, ammunition, spare parts for equipment and food went to the Soviet Union, Iran and Iraq.

The valour of the Indian soldiers was recognised with the award of over four thousand decorations, which also included the award of 18 Victoria and George Cross.

In addition, the then Soviet Union appreciated the valour of the Indian Armed forces and by the decree of 23 May 1944, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR signed by Mikhail Kalinin and Alexander Gorkin awarded the prestigious Orders of the Red Star to Subedar Narayan Rao Nikkam and Havildar Gajendra Singh Chand of Royal Indian Army Service Corps.

Earlier yesterday, Rajnath called his visit to Moscow a sign of India-Russia special friendship.

"My visit to Moscow is the first foreign visit from India of an official delegation during the COVID pandemic. This is a sign of our special friendship," said Rajnath.

Rajnath also had a meeting with Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov where they reviewed the defence cooperation and discussed ways to expand it.

"India & Russia enjoy Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership and defence relationship is one of its important pillars," wrote Rajnath on Twitter.