International Relations
Victory Day Parade
- 18 Jun 2020
- 4 min read
Why in News
India has decided to send a contingent of 75 personnel from its three armed forces to participate in Russia's 75th World War II Victory Day Parade on 24 June, 2020.
Key Points
- The Russian parade is held every year on Victory Day (May 9), which marks the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945.
- This year it was delayed because of the Covid-19.
- The victory day parade honours the heroism and sacrifices made by the Russian and other friendly people.
- India’s participation in the parade will be a mark of tribute and solidarity with the people of Russia.
- Earlier in January 2020, Russia had invited India to take part in the victory day parade.
India-Russia Defence Cooperation
- Defence remains the most significant aspect of India's relations with Russia with both sides looking to encourage joint manufacturing of equipment under India's Make-in-India programme and through transfer of technology.
- After the Vladivostok summit in 2019, both the countries had recognized the requirement of an institutional arrangement for reciprocal provision of logistic support and services for the armed forces.
- They had also agreed to prepare a framework for cooperation on it.
- During the 5th India Russia military industry conference held during the Defexpo 2020 in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), companies from both the countries signed various Memorandum of Understanding( MoUs) to develop a range of defence equipment.
- In 2019, despite the threat of U.S. sanctions, India went ahead with the decision to purchase the S-400 missile defence system, worth over $5 billion.
- Both the countries continue to encourage military to military cooperation through military political dialogue and joint military exercises.
- In 2019, India and Russia carried out a second joint tri-service exercise INDRA.
- In 2019, India also took part in Exercise TSENTR 2019 of the Russian Armed Force.
- Despite Russia's deep military and political ties with China, and its own relations with the U.S., India continues to look at Russia as a key partner.
World War II
- World War II, started in Europe in 1939 and assumed the character of a world war. It was fought between Allied and Axis powers.
- The Allied powers were represented by Great Britain, USA, France etc. While the Axis powers were led by Germany, Italy and Japan.
- The war came to an end in September 1945.
- Cause of War:
- Treaty of Versailles of 1920.
- Aggressive Policy of expansion by the fascist powers (Germany and Italy).
- Appeasement policy by Western powers towards fascist powers to fight against Communist Soviet Union.
- Rise of Japan as imperialist power.
- Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis.
- Consequences of the War:
- Killing of Jews in concentration camps.
- Atomic attacks on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
- Division of the world into two power blocs – the Communist Bloc headed by Soviet Union and the Western Bloc headed by the USA.
- Beginning of the Cold War which continued till the disintegration of Soviet Union in 1991.
- Foundation of United Nation Organisations in 1945.