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The Kremlin has confirmed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not travel to Moscow to attend the Victory Day celebrations scheduled for 9 May 2025.
The event commemorates the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War, marking its 80th anniversary this year.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, “The leader of India will not come. India will be represented, but not at the highest level.”
While there has been no official announcement from New Delhi regarding who will lead the Indian delegation, Russian media has reported that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to attend the celebrations.
According to Tass, Russia’s state-run news agency, Singh’s participation is ‘possible’ and is currently under consideration by Indian authorities.
Officials are working out the participation of a ceremonial detachment of the Indian armed forces in the Red Square parade.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India acknowledged that Prime Minister Modi had received an invitation to attend the celebrations.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated on 9 April, “We will be announcing our participation in the Victory Day celebration at the appropriate time.”
Prime Minister Modi’s absence this year follows his two visits to Russia in 2024, including the 22nd India-Russia Summit in July and the BRICS Summit held in Kazan in October.
The last time Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India was on 6 December 2021 for the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi.
Despite not attending the Victory Day celebrations, PM Modi and President Putin are expected to continue their annual engagements.
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov had previously confirmed that President Putin is likely to visit India in early 2025.
“Our leaders have an agreement to meet once a year. This time, it is our turn,” Ushakov remarked during a press briefing.
Several global leaders will attend the Victory Day celebrations, and China’s President Xi Jinping will pay a separate high-level visit.
Russia is preparing to welcome a large number of foreign representatives for the occasion, underlining the geopolitical significance of the event for Moscow.
Though PM Modi’s absence may reflect current diplomatic calculations, India-Russia ties remain on a stable footing through regular high-level dialogues and defence cooperation.
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