Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is on a three-day visit to Moscow at the invitation of the Russian Defence Minister to attend the 75th Anniversary of Victory Day Parade, took part in the celebrations held on June 24, 2020. He had previously conveyed his greetings for solemn ceremonies of 75th Victory Day in World War II and congratulated the people of Russia, especially the veterans, who have contributed so much to the common security of India and Russia. As he attended the Victory Parade at Red Square, as one of the special invitees to the event, he also displayed his pride that a Tri-Service contingent of the Indian Armed Force also took part in this parade.

On Wednesday, Russia celebrated the 75th anniversary of victory of the then Soviet People in the great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 and Indian Armed Forces contingent participated in the Victory Day Parade at Red Square Moscow. The Tri-Service contingent of the Indian Armed Forces comprised of 75 all ranks and marched alongwith contingents of Russian Armed Forces and 17 other countries.

About 14,000 troops, over 200 latest and World War II (WWII) military hardware and 75 aircraft took part in the military parade on Moscow’s Red Square devoted to the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War.

Indian tri-service contingent took part in military parade on Red Square to mark 75th anniversary of Victory in #WW2.

Please note, that two Indian military personnel were conferred the Soviet Order of Red Star in 1944.#Victory75 @SpokespersonMoD @mod_russia @mfa_russia pic.twitter.com/AP3ip0DsTk

— Russia in India (@RusEmbIndia) June 24, 2020

About 14,000 troops, over 200 latest and World War II (WWII) military hardware and 75 aircraft took part in the military parade at Moscow’s Red Square devoted to the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War.

"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. 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," Singh tweeted during the event.

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

Indian soldiers participated in the war efforts in the millions and suffered immense casualties, which indeed makes it a great honor that an Indian Military contingent will be marching in the Red Square tomorrow, Singh had stated earlier. The Defence Minister was accompanied by Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, Vice Admiral Hari Kumar and the Indian Ambassador to Russia.

According to the Defence Ministry’s press release, 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 campaign 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, ammunitions, 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 included award of 18 Victoria and George Cross. Two Indian military personnel were also conferred the Soviet Order of Red Star in 1944.

Indian soldiers participated in the war efforts in the millions and suffered immense casualties. Therefore, it is a great honor that an Indian Military contingent will be marching in the Red Square tomorrow, Singh had stated earlier. The Defence Minister was accompanied by Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, Vice Admiral Hari Kumar and Ambassador.

Parades to mark the Victory day are held on the same date in 28 cities across Russia, including hero cities. Many other cities observe the date with other kinds of festivities, including ceremonial processions. Russia had postponed its military parade, traditionally held on Moscow’s Red Square on May 9, for a later date due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The parade on Wednesday was reviewed by Russian President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, war veterans and guests.

The Head of State had explained earlier that he had chosen this date because June 24 was the day when in 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.

President Vladimir #Putin: Exactly 75 years ago the legendary parade of the victors took place. On behalf of all defenders of the Fatherland, the defeated banners and standards of the Nazis were thrown onto the square with contempt as a sign of just retribution and stern warning. pic.twitter.com/FiFE9IUGpl

— Alexander Alimov (@A__Alimov) June 24, 2020

“I wish you all the best on the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. A victory that determined the future of the planet for decades to come and went down in history as the grandest in its scale, significance and moral value.This year, the traditional Victory Day celebrations are being held in Russia on June 24. Exactly 75 years ago, the legendary victors paraded right here, along the Kremlin wall, to commemorate the end of the Great Patriotic War,” stated Putin.

Apart from India, representatives of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Moldova, Mongolia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan also marched in this parade along with Russian soldiers.

That parade went down in history as a triumph of unprecedented scale, the triumph of good over evil, of peace over war, and life over death, he reiterated.

Apart from India, representatives of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Moldova, Mongolia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan also marched in this parade along with Russian soldiers. Putin also said, “We are happy to welcome our friends, guests from various countries who came to Moscow to pay tribute to everyone who defended peace on the planet. We will never forget our allies’ contribution to the common victory, the significance of the second front that opened in June 1944.”

He also mentioned that in the context of the challenges the planet is facing today, we are aware of what the greatest value is – people, their dreams, joys, hopes, and a peaceful, tranquil and creative life.“We understand how important it is to strengthen friendship and trust between nations, and are open to dialogue and cooperation on the most pressing issues on the international agenda,” Putin added.