NEW DELHI, Oct. 30-- Visiting British Defense Secretary M. Fallon Thursday paid homage to Indian soldiers killed in World War I.

Fallon, who is here on a one-day trip, laid a wreath at the war memorial at iconic India Gate in the heart of the national capital to mark India's contribution to the war.

Sources said that Fallon would also meet senior Indian government officials later in the day and present them six Victoria Cross memorials won by soldiers in the war at a special function.

More than 800,000 Indian troops fought in the war. Nearly 50, 000 were killed or missing and 65,000 others sustained injuries.