Monday, May 9 2005 13:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Moscow: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (May 9, 2005) joined more than 50 world leaders in commemorating the 60th anniversary of Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II with a grand parade at the historic Red Square near the Kremlin in Moscow.

US President George W Bush sat next to his Russian host Vladimir Putin in the Moscow square, as the parade got underway.

In a keynote address at the Square, Putin said Moscow "will always remember" the support of the United States and European allies in defeating Nazism.

"We have never distinguished our victory from those of the others. We will always remember the support of the allies, the United States, Great Britain, France and other countries of the anti-Hitler coalition," he added.

Putin said though 60 years have passed since the victory, but each year on the 9th of May the recollections of that war "appeal to our consciousness and alert our sense of responsibility".

"They make us apprise the depth of the abyss, on the brink of which the world found itself and eye the potential horrendous consequences that violence, genocide, racial intolerance and atrocities might have brought about," he said.

Security was tight in the Russian capital with soldiers taking up positions around the periphery of the Red Square while anti-aircraft batteries were on alert to protect Moscow's airspace.

Several entrance and exits to metro stations adjoining the Kremlin were closed. However, the central avenue was opened for general public.

The parade started with a drive past inspection of ranks of Russian troops by Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov who was greeted with hurrahs.

As the brass band of the Moscos Military Garrison played a melody called 'The Approaching March', the soldiers carried the historic Red Banner of Victory to the Square.

About 2,600 veterans of World War II took part in the parade. Many of them were not in a condition to walk and were given the privilege of riding on trucks.

Russia lost 27 million people in the war against Nazi Germany. About 36,000 Indians were also killed while fighting along with allied forces.

Chinese President Hu Jintao, French President Jacques Chirac and Germany's Chancellor Gerhard Schroder were among world leaders attending the ceremony.

After the parade world leaders walked to the mausoleum of the Unknown Soldier and laid wreaths.

The world leaders then posed for photographs with Singh standing next to Chinese President Hu. The two leaders then warmly shook hands.