New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday embarked for a three-day visit to Russia to attend a grand victory day parade in Moscow to mark the 75th anniversary of the Second World War.
During his visit, he will also hold talks with top Russian hierarchy.
In a tweet, the defence minister said, “Leaving for Moscow on a three day visit. The visit to Russia will give me an opportunity to hold talks on ways to further deepen the India-Russia defence and strategic partnership. I shall also be attending the 75th Victory Day Parade in Moscow.”
His comes in the midst of an ongoing border row with the China’s PLA. In a violent face-off between troops of two Asian giants, 20 Indian Army personnel were killed by Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley on June 15. However, the Chinese side also suffered casualties but they did not reveal the numbers.
A tri-service 75-member Indian military contingent has already reached Moscow to participate in the parade.
Leaving for Moscow on a three day visit. The visit to Russia will give me an opportunity to hold talks on ways to further deepen the India-Russia defence and strategic partnership. I shall also be attending the 75th Victory Day Parade in Moscow.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 22, 2020
The Indian team will participate in the parade alongside armed forces personnel from at least 11 countries, including China.
“The visit of the defence minister will strengthen the longstanding special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia,” the defence ministry had said on Saturday.
“The Indian participation in the Victory Day parade will be a mark of tribute to the great sacrifices made by Russia and other nations in the Second World War in which Indian soldiers also participated and made supreme sacrifice,” it said.
