Sushma: India to build war memorial for slain Indian soldiers in France

India will construct a war memorial at Villers Guislain, a town around 200 km from Paris, to honour the valour and sacrifice of the thousands of its soldiers, sailors and airmen who fought for peace in the World War I, said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in Paris on June 19.

"India will construct an Indian Armed Forces Memorial at Villers Guislain," she said, adding that this will be the second such memorial in Europe.

During World War I, Villers-Guislain had witnessed a fierce battle in which the British Indian cavalry regiments were heavily involved. The town was liberated on September 29, 2018.

Swara had arrived in Paris from Rome on June 18 on the second leg of her four-nation tour. She also visited the India House, Maison de l'Inde, which is a hostel for Indian students in the University City of Paris. She addressed the Indian students and unveiled a plaque at the India Hostel to commemorate the golden jubilee of the landmark building.