NEW DELHI: India is sending minister of state for external affairs General V K Singh to attend China’s first ever mega military parade to mark 70 anniversary of surrender of Japan at end of WW2 next month.
India had got the invitation last month, but had taken its time to decide on the level of representation. South Block was mainly concerned about the implicit anti-Japanese sentiment in the parade, which is being held as China has ramped up its rhetoric against Japan for not being sincere in ‘repenting’ for its colonial crimes.
The ministry of external affairs confirmed to Express that General V K Singh would witness the massive military parade on September 3, the first ever being overseen by Chinese president Xi Jinping.
India has however not sent a military contingent to take part in the parade, as 10 other countries, including Russia, have done.
For Russia’s 70 anniversary celebrations to mark end of world war 2, New Delhi had not only sent a military contingent to march on Red Square, but also President Pranab Mukherjee. The Russian commemoration had been boycotted by western countries over Ukraine.