Russia: Indian President Mukherjee touches down in Moscow ahead of V-Day

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee arrived in Moscow on Thursday in preparation for the Victory Day celebrations on May 9. Mukherjee is one of at least 25 heads of state set to attend the parade, along with fellow BRICS members including Chinese President Xi Jinping, South African President Jacob Zuma and Brazilian President Dilma Rouseff, who are expected to join in the celebrations. The Indian President is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin during his stay, as well as attending a cultural exchange programme named "Namaste India" and making a public address at a Russian think-tank. The India Army also sent a 70-member contingent of the Ninth Grenadiers to join the Red Army's honourary march through Moscow's Red Square.