Rajnath Singh pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Indian Embassy in Moscow

On the first day of his three-day visit to the Russian capital Moscow, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi by laying a wreath at his statue during his visit to the Indian Embassy in Russia's Moscow.

India/Russia: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi by laying a wreath at his statue during his visit to the Indian Embassy in Russia's Moscow.

Singh is on a three-day visit to Russia to attend a military parade held to mark the 75the anniversary of the Soviet victory over Germany in the Second World War. He reached the Russian capital on Monday night.

The defence minister's visit comes in the midst of an escalating border standoff between India and China, particularly after the killing of 20 Indian Army personnel by Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley on June 15.

Before leaving for Moscow, the defence minister tweeted, "Leaving for Moscow on a three-day visit. The visit to Russia will give me an opportunity to hold talks on ways to further deepen the India-Russia defence and strategic partnership. I shall also be attending the 75th Victory Day Parade in Moscow.”

Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe is also likely to be present at the parade. In fact, Singh is likely to share a table with his Chinese counterpart along with Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu during the Victory Parade in the iconic Red Square.

Officials said Singh is going ahead with the visit, notwithstanding the border row with China, due to India's decades-old military ties with Russia.

"I wish a safe journey to Defence Minister of strategic partner India @rajnathsingh who is scheduled to depart to Moscow on Monday to witness the Great Victory Day Military Parade on June 24," Russian Ambassador Nikolay Kudashev tweeted.

The parade was originally scheduled on May 9 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A tri-service 75-member Indian military contingent has already reached Moscow to participate in the parade.

"The visit of the defence minister will strengthen the longstanding special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia," the ministry said.

The Indian marching contingent will be led by a major rank officer of the gallant Sikh Light Infantry Regiment. The regiment had fought with valour in the Second World War and has the distinction of earning four battle honours and two military crosses amongst other gallantry awards.

The Indian team will participate in the parade alongside armed forces personnel from at least 11 countries including China.

"The Indian participation in the victory day parade will be a mark of tribute to the great sacrifices made by Russia and other nations in the Second World War in which Indian soldiers also participated and made supreme sacrifice," the ministry said.

With PTI inputs