Union DefenceMinister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (June 23) called his visit to Moscow a signof India-Russia special friendship."My visit to Moscow is the firstforeign visit from India of an official delegation during the COVID pandemic.This is a sign of our special friendship."

The Minister who ison a three-day visit to Moscow added, "Despite all the difficulties of thepandemic, our bilateral relations are keeping good contacts at the variouslevels."

This is a sign ofour special friendship. Despite all the difficulties of the pandemic, ourbilateral relations are keeping good contacts at the various levels.

He also said thathe's looking forward to the visit of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to Indiaat the invitation of PM Narendra Modi, later in 2020.

Rajnath alsocommented on the 75th Victory Day Parade of World War II in Moscow and said,"It is a great honor that an Indian Military contingent will be marchingin the Red Square tomorrow.

He stated,"Indian soldiers participated in the war effort in the millions andsuffered immense causalities. Many of them were part of the war efforts toprovide assistance to the Soviet Army."

The Minister alsovisited the Indian Embassy in Moscow and paid his tributes to Mahatma Gandhi bylaying a wreath at his statue.

Rajnath also had ameeting with Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov where they reviewedthe defence cooperation and discussed ways to expand it. "India &Russia enjoy Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership and defencerelationship is one of its important pillars," wrote Rajnath on Twitter.

Had an excellentmeeting with  Russia’s Deputy PrimeMinister Mr. Yury Borisov.  It isexpected that Rajnath would raise the issue of the delivery of the S-400missile defence systems during his discussions with the Russian leaders.