Indian and Chinese militaries to take part in Russian Victory Day parade

Shubhadeep Choudhury

Tribune News Service

Kolkata, June 18

Indian and Chinese militaries, involved in a fierce clash in the Ladakh on Monday, will have a different kind of engagement next week. Contingents from the two armies will march in Russia’s historic Red Square on June 24 on the occasion of military parade being organised by Russia to mark the 75th anniversary of Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany.

Besides India and China, troops from 18 more foreign countries including USA, UK and France would march alongside the personnel from the Russian armed forces to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the great victory.

India will send a contingent of 75 personnel from its three armed forces to Moscow to participate in the event, the Defence Ministry has said.

“On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Second World War, there will be a military parade in Moscow to honour the heroism and sacrifices made by the Russians and other friendly people. The Russian Defence Minister has invited an Indian contingent to take part in the Victory Day Parade scheduled to be held on June 24, 2020, in Moscow,” stated a press release issued by MoD.

“The participation in the parade will be a mark of tribute and solidarity with the people of Russia at a time when they remember their heroes of the Great Patriotic War,” the release added.

China watchers here said that troops of PLA Honor Guard — composed of representatives of the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force, Navy and Air Force — have already landed in Moscow to participate in the parade.

China also used the opportunity to showcase the indigenously developed transport aircraft Y-20. PLA soldiers chosen for the parade landed in the Russian capital aboard the aircraft.

The Victory Day parade is held annually on May 9 but it got postponed this year because the preparations for it could not be carried out amid the coronavirus spread.

However, it was on June 24 in 1945 when the legendary historic parade of victors took place, when soldiers, who fought for Moscow and defended Leningrad and Stalingrad and liberated much of Europe and stormed Berlin, had marched at the Red Square.