Anzac Day commemorated in New Delhi

Australian High Commissioner Harinder Sidhu and New Zealand Charge d'Affaires Suzannah Jessep paid their respects to the women and men who lost their lives in service to their country during an Anzac Day ceremony at the Delhi War Cemetery today.

They were joined by members of the Australian and New Zealand communities in India, as well as members of the Indian military to honour those who had laid down their lives to defend their nations and their shared values in conflicts around the world.

"Anzac Day is a day to remember Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women who have served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations since the First World War, and to honour those who continue to serve today," Ms Sidhu said.

Ms Sidhu noted the contribution by many Indians during the First World War and in other operations since.

"Indians were in many instances serving alongside Australians and New Zealanders - it is a shared commitment to freedom and democracy that continues to this day."

New Zealand's Charge d'Affaires in India, Suzannah Jessep, said: "While we may each have our origins in different cultures, speak different languages, and worship in different ways; we all share in our histories the tragedy of armed conflict."

"Let us use this experience to work together, to renew our efforts to help states out of conflict, to support efforts to rebuild," she said.

Anzac Day, commemorated on 25 April, marks the anniversary of the first major military action by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) in 1915 during the First World War.

Approximately 16,000 Indian troops fought alongside the ANZACs in Gallipoli and around 1,600 lost their lives. Some 8,700 troops from Australia and 2,779 from New Zealand died in that conflict.

Over 200 people attended the Dawn Service to pay their respects including representatives from the international community in Delhi and the Indian military. In line with tradition, buglers from the Indian Army played "The Last Post" and "Reveille" at the service.