New Delhi (NVI): Russia has welcomed the Tri-Service contingent of Indian Armed Forces that will participate in its 75th World War II Victory Day Parade to be held in Moscow on June 24.
The Russian Embassy in India today tweeted in this regard, two days after India’s Defence Ministry said that India will send a contingent of 75 personnel from its three armed forces to Moscow to participate in the Parade.
“Russia welcomes the Tri-Service contingent of Indian Armed Forces who will participate in the majestic military parade on the Red Square in Moscow on June 24. Get a glimpse of the full dress rehearsal before their departure,” the Russian Embassy said in a tweet.
It also shared a video to show a glimpse of the full dress rehearsal by the Indian contingent, before their departure.
Russia welcomes the Tri-Service contingent of Indian Armed Forces who will participate in the majestic military parade on the Red Square in Moscow on June 24. Get a glimpse of the full dress rehearsal before their departure.@SpokespersonMoD @mfa_russia @mod_russia pic.twitter.com/E7m7qZmNHG
— Russia in India (@RusEmbIndia) June 19, 2020
Earlier on Wednesday, the MoD said in a statement: “Defence Minister of Russia has invited an Indian contingent to take part in the Victory Day Parade scheduled to be held on June 24, 2020 in Moscow.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had written to Russian President Vladimir Putin a congratulatory message on the occasion of the Victory Day on May 9, 2020.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had also sent a congratulatory message to his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu on the occasion.
Led by a colonel rank officer, the Indian contingent will participate in the Parade to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Victory of the Soviet People in the great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, the Ministry of Defence said in a release today.
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, the MoD said.
These campaigns witnessed sacrifice by over 87 thousand Indian servicemen besides 34,354 being wounded. The Indian Military not only fought on all fronts, but also ensured logistic support along the Southern, Trans-Iranian Lend-Lease route, along which weapons, ammunition, equipment support 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 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,” it said.
The marching contingent taking part in the Victory Day Parade is led by a major rank officer of the gallant SIKH LIGHT INFANTRY Regiment. The Regiment had fought with valour in the World War-II and has proud distinction of earning four Battle Honours and two Military Cross amongst other gallantry awards.
-ARK
