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

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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.

They look nice..................

 

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They look nice..................

Soldiers are known by thier courage not looks.

Fireworks to mark the 70th anniversary of victory over the Nazi Germany in World War II are seen over Red Square in Moscow.

 

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President's Secretariat
11-May, 2015 11:25 IST
President of India inaugurates ‘Namaste Russia’

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated a festival of Indian Culture in Russia ‘Namaste Russia’ in Moscow yesterday (May 10, 2015).

Speaking on the occasion, the President said Indian culture and its heritage of art, music and cinema have enjoyed love and appreciation across Russia over centuries. In India too, there is enormous warmth and regard for Russian culture as showcased in its ballet, literature and traditions. Russia’s Gerasim Lebedev, who was arguably the first European Indologist, pioneered the Bengali theatre 220 years ago in Kolkata.

The President said with the support of the Russian Ministry of Culture, ‘Namaste Russia’ will reach various regions of Russia over the next six months. In response to the interest in Indian fine arts across Russia, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations will send Indian teachers of music and dance to regional centres in Russia. These efforts will help people living in different regions of Russia to deepen their engagement with contemporary and classical Indian culture. It is also important that the youth of two countries is encouraged to join these cultural exchanges. He said that he was delighted to learn that the logo for ‘Namaste Russia’ is designed by a young Russian from the Russian town of Krasnoyarsk, who succeeded in an open competition with both Indians and Russians.

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President Pranab Mukherjee witnessing the Victory Day parade at Red Square in Moscow President Pranab Mukherjee witnessing the Victory Day parade at Red Square in Moscow on Saturday. PTI Photo

Indian soldiers march at the Victory Day parade marking the 70 anniversary of the World War II at Red Square in Moscow on Saturday. PTI Photo

 

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The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee being seen off on his departure from Moscow, in Russia on May 11, 2015.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee interacting with the accompanying media onboard on his way to Delhi on May 11, 2015. The Minister of State for Railways, Shri Manoj Sinha and other dignitaries are also seen.

Russia a dependable partner of India: President Mukherjee | Zee News
Last Updated: Monday, May 11, 2015 - 21:18


On Board Special Aircraft: Notwithstanding Russia's plans to supply arms to Pakistan, President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said Russia is India's "dependable partner" in defence and energy sectors irrespective of Moscow's growing ties with any other nation.


"Our relationship stands apart. Russia is and will be a dependable partner in defence matter and energy security despite the relationships with other countries developed by Russia or developed by India," President Pranab Mukherjee told reporters accompanying him.

The President, who was returning home after a five-day visit to Russia, was replying a question about whether he raised the issue of Russia's move to supply defence equipment to Pakistan during his bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

Russia has lifted its embargo on defence supplies to Pakistan and the two sides are working on ways to boost their defence ties. Last year, the two countries signed a military cooperation agreement to deepen their ties.

In a sign of increasing bonhomie between the Cold War-era adversaries, Pakistan and Russia have also agreed to hold their first-ever joint military exercises.

Mukherjee said irrespective of Russia's ties with other countries, its ties with India would continue to be strong.

"...India-Russia relationship is one of deep friendship and mutual confidence that would not be affected by transient political trends.

"Russia has been a pillar of strength at difficult moments in India's history. India will always reciprocate this support. Russia is and will remain our most important defence partner and a key partner for our energy security, both on nuclear energy and hydrocarbons," he said in a statement.

Mukherjee said his visit also reflected the importance India places on its strategic partnership with Russia and India-Russia relations have stood the test of time.

The President said he had held a substantive bilateral meeting with the Russian President and reviewed progress on bilateral issues as well as steps to further enhance and deepen the relationship.

"We also discussed the rapidly evolving global political, security and economic scenario. President Putin reiterated his strong commitment to further enhance ties with India, which are marked by an exceptional level of mutual trust," he said.

Referring to the annual summit meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin, held in Delhi in December, Mukherjee said there was forward movement on defence, nuclear energy and space cooperation.

"We have made tangible progress in our economic and commercial cooperation in sectors ranging from hydrocarbons, fertilisers, diamonds and agricultural products," he said.

PTI

 

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It was a visit to remember Indian soldiers: Pranab Mukherjee - The Hindu
Returning from his four-day visit to Russia, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Monday that his visit to attend the 70th anniversary of Victory Day in Europe “re-affirmed [India’s] abiding solidarity with Russia.”

While bilateral relationship was the overriding reason for his visit, there was a stronger military message that was being sent, officials told The Hindu, with the participation of the Grenadiers contingent of the Indian Army in the Russian parade for the first time.

This follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the World War I memorial for Indian soldiers in France’s Neuve Chapelle in April and Minister of State for External Affairs General (Retd.) V.K. Singh’s attendance at the Anzac Day (WW I) ceremony in Gallipoli, Turkey, last month.

The message

Speaking about his visit, Mr. Mukherjee said: “For India, this was an occasion both to commemorate the bravery and spirit of the Russian people, and equally to remember the sacrifices of Indian soldiers in the most defining struggle of the 20th Century.”

According to a senior government official, the message being sent out is two-fold: at one level, it is a reach out to the armed forces and their families, with an acknowledgement of Indian soldiers who fought and died in the wars. On another level, it sends out a signal of India’s historic military capabilities, which have been reinforced by recent multi-force rescue operations to evacuate Indians and others alike from the conflict in Yemen, and the aftermath of the earthquake in Nepal.

The issue could also become another flashpoint between the BJP and the Congress, as the government has accused the former UPA governments of “ignoring the sacrifices” of Indian soldiers in both the wars.

“We have forgotten our soldiers who performed so well during the wars, and there is an effort now to remember them,” Gen. V.K. Singh told The Hindu. “Perhaps the British colonial rulers themselves tried to downplay this and the Congress carried their sentiment after Independence,” he said, adding a possibly controversial political colour to the issue.

However, Mr. Mukherjee, who refused to comment on the political aspect of the issue, said the practice of “recognising our war heroes” was initiated during the UPA regime.

“When I was the Defence Minister (2004-06), I made it a point to visit each and every war memorial for Indian soldiers in Europe and pay my respects.” Mr. Mukherjee had first attended the Russian V-Day parade as Foreign Minister in 1995, while in 2005, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had visited Moscow for the 60th year commemoration.

 

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Artists performing at the Namaste India programme that was attended by President Pranab Mukherjee at Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow, Russia on Sunday. PTI Photo