Chennai: In first visit abroad by a senior Union Minister ever since Covid-19 hit the country, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today left for a three-day visit to Russia.
During the visit, he will hold talks with 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.
In a tweet, he said, ‘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.’
According to officials, Rajnath went ahead with the visit, notwithstanding the border row with China, due to India’s decades-old military ties with Russia.
In a statement, the Defence Ministry said, “the visit of the Defence Minister will strengthen the longstanding special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia.”
It added, “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.”