An honour to join Victory Day celebrations in Russia: President Pranab

[Hindustani78]

An honour to join Victory Day celebrations in Russia: President Pranab | Zee News
Last Updated: Thursday, May 7, 2015 - 15:17

New Delhi: As he leaves for Russia on a five-day state visit, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Thursday that it will be an honour to be part of the 70th anniversary commemoration of World War II in Moscow.


In an interview to ITAR TASS news agency, the president said: "The role of Russian soldiers and civilians changed the course of World War II, its outcome and the future of the world."

Mukherjee said it will be an honour to be part of the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of World War II which recognises the monumental contributions of Russia to the victory over Nazism and Fascism.

He said he was delighted that an Indian military contingent will be part of the Victory Day parade for the very first time.

"We recall with deep respect the millions who lost their lives during the war. Tens of thousands of Indian soldiers also sacrificed their lives in the war," he said.

The President said the commemoration on May 9 would remind people "of the need for all countries to strive actively for peace for the common benefit of humankind and to never forget lessons of the war".

Recalling his long association with Russia and its leadership during his many decades in public life, Mukherjee said he has met President Vladimir Putin on a number of occasions.

He said during Putin's visit to India last December for the annual summit, he had hosted him.

"We discussed the initiatives currently underway to further strengthen our bilateral partnership," he said, adding that he hopes to continue their conversation "on these matters and on international developments of interest to both our countries".

On bilateral ties, Mukherjee said the "geopolitical realities and cultural affinities have ensured that ours has been a relationship marked by exceptional understanding and convergence of views, through all the realignments in the global political and economic landscape.

"Russia was the first country with which India concluded a formal agreement on strategic partnership in October 2000," Mukherjee recalled.

"In recognition of the considerable strengthening of our multi-faceted relations since then, we now describe our relationship aptly as a special and privileged strategic partnership."

He said during the annual summit last year, both sides identified initiatives to take the economic ties to a significantly higher-level.

"We will be encouraging closer contacts between regions of our two countries to give further impetus in this direction. We are also re-invigorating our cooperation in space."

"An area of considerable promise is cooperation in education, research and innovation. We are actively working towards creating institutional linkages between our educational and research institutions," Mukherjee said.

The President said the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project showcases the bilateral cooperation. The hydrocarbons sector holds great promise.

On defence ties, he said India would like to apply the BrahMos supersonic missile project experience to other defence platforms and equipment.

"We believe that the Make in India initiative provides exciting new opportunities for India-Russia collaboration in setting up manufacturing facilities in India for Russian weapons systems, their sub-assemblies and components," he said.

Putin had "responded very warmly to this approach", Mukherjee said, adding: "We are also putting in place more active service-to-service exchanges, training cooperation and regular military exercises."

IANS

 

[Hindustani78]

President's Secretariat
08-May, 2015 17:08 IST

Russia has been a pillar of strength at difficult moments in India's history, says President Mukherjee

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee said Russia has been a pillar of strength at difficult moments in India's history. He was delivering the keynote address at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs after receiving an Honorary Doctorate from the Academy today (May 8, 2015) at Moscow.

The President said India-Russia relations, shaped as they are by our respective historical experiences, cultural affinities, political convergences and economic opportunities, will not be affected by winds of transient global political trends. Russia has contributed to India’s development, growth and security. India will always reciprocate this support. Across Indian society and the spectrum of its political structures, there is unanimity that friendship with Russia is an important pillar of India's foreign policy. India values its close and extensive cooperation with Russia in defence, nuclear energy and security. Russia is and will remain our most important defence partner. It is also a key partner for our energy security, building on its leading role in the development of nuclear power generation in India.

The President said the dynamic development of India-Russia strategic partnership owes a great deal to the vision and leadership of President Vladimir Putin. His personal commitment has led to new heights in relations of the two countries. India recognizes President Putin as a great friend of India. He looks forward to renewing his association with President Putin on this visit.

***

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee interacting with the accompanying delegation during his way to Moscow in Russia at Air India Special Aircraft, on May 07, 2015.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee being received by the Dy. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Mr. Igor V. Morgulov, on his arrival at the Vnukovo International Airport, Moscow in Russia on May 07, 2015.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee being welcomed on his arrival at the Vnukovo International Airport, Moscow in Russia on May 07, 2015.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee in conversation with the Ambassador of India to Russia, Shri P.S. Raghavan, in Moscow, Russia on May 07, 2015.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee addressing after being conferred the Honorary Doctorate by the Russian Diplomatic Academy, at Moscow, in Russia on May 08, 2015.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee being conferred the Honorary Doctorate by the Russian Diplomatic Academy, at Moscow, in Russia on May 08, 2015.

 

[Hindustani78]

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee being received by the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Putin on his meeting, at Kremlin, in Russia on May 09, 2015.

The Indian Army Contingent participating in the Victory Day Parade, at Moscow, in Russia on May 09, 2015.

The Member Indian Army Contingent from the Grenadiers participating in the Victory Day Parade, at Moscow, in Russia on May 09, 2015.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee witnessing the Victory Day Commemoration, at Red Square, during his state visit, at Moscow, in Russia on May 09, 2015.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Putin and other dignitaries in a group photograph, during the Victory Day Commemoration, at Moscow, in Russia on May 09, 2015.

 

[Hindustani78]

Last Updated: Saturday, May 9, 2015 - 21:25
Indian Army men attract all eyes during Russian Victory Day | Zee News

Moscow: The Indian Army contingent, which on Saturday took part in the Victory Day parade here, was a big attraction among nearly a dozen foreign army contingents and thousands of Russia's own soldiers for elegantly displaying their military ceremonial drills.


With their decorative 'safa' and handlebar moustache, the Indian army men of Grenadiers became the cynosure of the parade and got applause from audience that included war veterans, widows, family members and foreign dignitaries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Pranab Mukherjee and other foreign dignitaries too reciprocated and clapped when the Indian jawans saluted them.

The marching contingent, with each member almost 6-feet tall, was led by Captain Vikash Singh Suhag while the tricolour was carried by Captain D P Singh.

Suhag later shook hands with Putin who in turn commended the contingents' show.

The contingent has been brought together after choosing the best soldiers from different formations of the Grenadiers Regiment.

"It was an honour to march for the Victory Day parade in Russia as India is the among the only 10 countries which are part of this proud event," said Suhag after the parade. He incidentally belongs to the same village from where Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhag comes from.

The Indian team stayed with soldiers of China, Mongolia and Serbia in the same camp on the outskirts of Moscow.

The 75-member team, which arrived here on April 25, to exclusively participate in today's event will leave for home tomorrow.

PTI

Venezuelan President's wife Cilia Flores, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow after the Victory Parade marking the 70th anniversary of the defeat of the Nazis in World War II, in Red Square, Moscow, Russia.

A Russian airforce Mi-8 helicopter flies over the Moskva River, with the Kremlin in the background during a rehearsal of a V-Day military parade in Moscow, Russia.

 

[Hindustani78]

Soviet SU-100 tank destroyers drive during the Victory Day parade - Russia used the event to highlight its formidable military defence

Russian T-14 Armata tanks, which have a remote-controlled gun turret and reinforced capsule for the crew, are shown off at the parade

The T-14 Armata is said to surpass all Western versions because of its remotely controlled cannon and the protection it offers to its crew

Russian BUK-M2 medium-range battlefield surface-to-air missile systems drive during the Victory Day parade in Moscow's Red Square

Russian Kurganets-25 armoured personnel carriers drive during the country's show of strength at the Victory Day parade - they are fitted with guns that are controlled remotely by the crew and can be fitted with larger cannons

 

[Hindustani78]

Russian BTR-MDM Rakushka (Shell) airborne armored personnel carrier drives during the Victory Day parade at Red Square

A Russian strategic ballistic missile RS-24 Yars launching vehicle is watched on by serviceman as it moves through Red Square

Russian Su-25 assault aircrafts release smoke in the colours of the Russian flag while flying above the Kremlin

 

[Hindustani78]

Russian MIG-29 and SU-25 military jets fly in formation above Red Square in Moscow on the day of celebration

The V Day parade in Red Square, Moscow, is a chance for the country to showcase its formidable defensive powers

In a display of military force, Russian servicemen march during the Victory Day parade that started at 10.00 (07.00 GMT) today

Some 16,500 troops from across Russia are marching past Lenin's Mausoleum and St Basil's Cathedral to commemorate their war dead

Banner unit soldiers march and salute as part of the celebrations to remember the Allied victory over the Nazis in World War Two

 

[Hindustani78]

Russian S-400 Triumph medium-range and long-range surface-to-air missile systems drive during the Victory Day parade

 

[Hindustani78]

Russian infantry fighting vehicle with the Armata Universal Combat Platform makes its way through Red Square in Moscow this morning

Russian Typhoon-U all-terrain armoured vehicles with enhanced protection are shown off in the V Day parade in Moscow

Russian BUK-M2/SA-17 Grizzly medium-range battlefield surface-to-air missile system on show during the parade in Moscow

Russia's President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during the parade that was snubbed by many leading world nations

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping watch the parade in what was a show of Russia's military force

Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (second right) and Kyrgyzstan's President Almazbek Atambayev (second right) watch the parade

Russian army helicopters fly over Moscow's Red Square to mark the 70th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany by the Allied Forces

Thousands of people congregate in Moscow's Red Square to take part in the Immortal Regiment march during today's celebrations

 

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[Muhammad Omar]

Very nice Parade Pics... Man just Awesome

 

[Hindustani78]

Indian Army servicemen march during the Victory Day parade at Red Square in Moscow, Russia, on Saturday.

Russia celebrates WW-II victory, as allies choose to stay away - The Hindu
The 75-member contingent of India’s Nine Grenadiers cut an impressive sight with their distinctive headgear and swaying of arms in contrast to the goose-stepping of the former Soviet era.
Russia staged a massive display of its military might as tanks rumbled over Moscow’s Red Square and dozens of Sukhoi jets in neat formations flew over the Kremlin as part of the commemoration of Victory Day in World War II in 1945.

But none of Russia’s allies from the war were represented by their leaders at the parade, as in stark contrast it was India and China that sent Presidents, and army contingents to march with the Red Army.

More than 16,000 men including army contingents from India, China, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and other countries marched in the parade. The 75-member contingent of India’s Nine Grenadiers cut an impressive sight with their distinctive headgear and swaying of arms in contrast to the goose-stepping of the former Soviet era.

Enacting the sequence of events on V-day in 1945, the ceremony began as the clock struck ten at the Kremlin. After an “announcement” of victory, waves of Hurrahs were shouted by the soldiers gathered, and several contingents saw soldiers dressed in World War 2 uniforms and metal helmets.

The march-past was then followed by Russia’s new age weaponry, with 160 military vehicles including tanks, rocket launchers, and armoured carriers. Amongst them, Russia’s latest tank, the T-14 Aramata tank — that is set to be inducted in the next few years, the latest Sukhoi Su-30 and Su-35s, and the ‘Yars’ Intercontinental Ballistic missile system that made an entrance to cheers from the crowds. The Aramata is the first new Russian tank to be developed since the Soviet union collapsed in 1991.

After the parade, Russian President Vladimir Putin shook hands with each of the contingent commanders, including Captain Vikas Singh Suhag of the Nine Grenadiers that were participating in an international parade for the first time.

Without referring directly to the decision of the UK, US, and France to boycott Russia’s big parade, President Putin said a “military-bloc mentality” was hindering international cooperation. “In recent decades the basic principles of international co-operation have been ignored ever more frequently. We see how a military-bloc mentality is gaining momentum,” he said in the speech.

The US and most of the EU have refused to send their leaders — who normally attend the parade every decade — as a mark of protest over Russia’s annexation of Crimea last year. Many of the countries in the former Soviet Union also boycotted the event, and in a significant break from the past, Ukraine decided to commemorate the World War II victory, a day prior to Russia’s annual May 9th event, all of which have caused deep anger in the Russian government.

President Pranab Mukherjee will be in Moscow on Sunday to inaugurate an Indo-Russian cultural festival, “Namaste India” and attend a reception for the Indian community before returning to India on Monday.

 

[Hindustani78]