After four months it is the first visit abroad by a senior union minister as foreign travels were restricted in view of the coronavirus pandemic
NEW DELHI| On Monday Defence Minister Rajnath Singh left for a three-day visit to Russia during which he will hold talks with the top Russian military brass and attend a grand military parade in Moscow to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Germany in the Second World War.
After four months it is the first visit abroad by a senior union minister as foreign travels were restricted in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
The last foreign trip abroad by a senior member of the union cabinet was by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman when she visited Riyadh from Feb 22-24 to attend a meeting of G-20 finance ministers.
The defence minister’s visit to Russia comes in the midst of an escalating border standoff between India and China, particularly after the killing of the 20 Indian Army personnel by Chinese troops in eastern Ladkah’s Galwan Valley on June 15.
Mr. Singh before leaving for Moscow 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.”
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.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 22, 2020
Mr. Singh went ahead with the visit, notwithstanding the border row with China, due to India’s decades-old military ties with Russia, Officials said.
Officials further added, the defence minister, is likely to hold a series of meetings with top military brass of Russia with a focus on further ramping up military cooperation between the two countries.
A tri-service 75-member Indian Military contingent has already reached Moscow to participate in the parade. The Indian team will participate in the parade alongside armed forces personnel from at least 11 countries, including China.
On Saturday, defence ministry said, “The visit of the defence minister will strengthen the longstanding special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia.”
“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,” it said.
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