All three Indian defence forces to participate in the Russian military parade

Moscow: All the three wings of the Indian defence forces have received the honour of participating in the Grand Parade that is to be organised at the Red Square in Russia. This is for the first time that the Indian defence forces are participating in a military parade on foreign soil, and this sends a strong message to the world that military cooperation between India and Russia is strong.

Although the military cooperation with the United States and other western countries is increasing rapidly, this participation underlines that it has not affected the strategic military cooperation with Russia. In the second world war, Nazi Germany surrendered in front of Russia on 9th May 1945. The Grand Parade is organised every year on 9th May, to celebrate the victory. But this year, the date of the parade was postponed because of the Coronavirus pandemic. The parade will be held on 24th June, and all the three wings of the Indian defence forces have been invited to participate in the parade. The units from all the three forces will leave for Russian capital of Moscow on 19th June to participate in the ceremony. This is the 75th year of the historic Russian victory over Nazi Germany. It is being said that Russia will be making a massive demonstration of its military might during this year’s parade, held to mark the occasion. At the same time, by inviting the Indian defence forces to participate in the ceremony, Russia is delivering a message to the world that the military relations between the two countries are strong.

The trade and military cooperation between India and the United States has grown considerably. Both countries have signed important defence treaties. Therefore, some analysts were expressing concerns that given the developing relations between India and the United States, relations with Russia will be adversely affected. But India has, time and again, stressed that cooperation with no other country could replace Russian collaboration. Despite a threat issued by the United States, India went ahead with the purchase of S-400 air defence system from Russia. This has had a very positive effect on Indo-Russian relations. Currently, there is a standoff between the Indian and Chinese Armies. Some people raised a question ‘Will Russia stand with India against China?’ Russia seems to have answered the question with an invitation to all the three defence forces to participate in the Grand Parade.