Indian, Chinese Contingents to Participate in Russian Victory Day Parade

Contingents from India and China will participate in the 75th Russian Victory Day Parade to be held on June 24.

India will send a contingent of 75 personnel from its three armed forces to Moscow to participate in Russia's 75th World War II Victory Day parade on June 24, the Indian MoD said on Wednesday.

"On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Second World War, there will be a military parade in Moscow to honor the heroism and sacrifices made by the Russian and other friendly people," the India defence ministry said in its press release.

Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) honor guard members have already left for Moscow to participate in the Russian Victory Day parade scheduled for June 24.  A Chinese Y-20 cargo plane carrying 105 members of the PLA honor guard  arrived at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow, last Sunday.

The highlight of the Chinese visit is the first long distance flight of the locally-made Y-20 tactical transport plane considered a competitor to the Boeing C-17.

The Indian announcement to send the contingent comes days after its forces were involved in a deadly brawl with Chinese soldiers in the Galwan valley of Ladakh.