Indian Armed forces contingent participates in Russian Victory Day parade

Indian Armed Forces contingent participated in the Russian Victory Day Parade at the Red Square, Moscow on June 24, 2020. The parade marked the 75th anniversary of the victory of the then Soviet Union during the Second World War. 

India had sent a tri-service contingent to participate in the parade, comprising 75 military personal of all ranks. The Indian contingent marched alongside the Russian Armed Forces contingent and the contingents belonging to 17 other countries.

Proud moment!!
75 - member tri-services Indian contingent marched at Victory day parade at #RedSquare Moscow as Russia marks 75th anniversary of #VictoryDay. @MEAIndia @DefenceMinIndia @adgpi @indiannavy @IAF_MCC @drajaykumar_ias @PIB_India @DDNewslive @DrSJaishankar @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/GAwM5Sg2Vh

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

The annual Russian Victory Day parade marks the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was among the special invitees who attended the event live. 

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

Key Highlights 

•  The Russian parade was supposed to be held originally on Victory Day on May 9 but got delayed because of COVID-19.  PM Narendra Modi was initially supposed to be a special guest for the May 9 event. However, it was not possible under the present circumstances. 

•  The Government instead planned to send the tri-service contingent to take part in the parade which showcases Russia's military might. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also flew to Russia for the special event. 

Russia’s Victory Day Parade in Moscow. Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh is attending the function. pic.twitter.com/AEmuJ0g8PK

— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) June 24, 2020

•  The Indian contingent was first kept in quarantine and tested before being sent to Russia. They will also be quarantined after their return.

•  India had participated in the Russian Parade for the first time in 2015. However, only the Indian army had participated then.

•  Russia had invited several heads of state for the event this year, as it marks the 75th anniversary of the "Victory over Nazism".

Significance

The decision to send a tri-service military contingent to Russia comes at a time when the Indian government has stopped participating in military exercises with all countries. The exercises have been viewed as an avoidable risk in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. Despite this, India has decided to send participants to the parade, keeping in mind the close relationship with Russia, particularly in the defence sector.

Background

Russian President Vladimir Putin had invited PM Narendra Modi for the Victory Day celebrations during their meeting in Vladivostok in 2019. India shares deep military and defence ties with Russia. India recently committed to upgrade defence cooperation with Russia and jointly develop military equipment under India’s Make-in-India programme and through the transfer of technology.

India and Russia continue to encourage the military to military cooperation through military-political dialogue and joint military exercises. They had carried out the second joint tri-service exercise INDRA in 2019. The two countries had also recognised the need for an institutional arrangement for provision of logistic support and services for the armed forces after the Vladivostok summit 2019 and had agreed to prepare a framework for cooperation for it.