Rajnath Singh to represent India at Russia's Victory Day event

NEW DELHI: India confirmed Wednesday that defence minister Rajnath Singh will represent India at Russia's Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9. Russia had invited PM Modi for what would be the 80th Victory Day celebrations but, govt sources said, India had conveyed to Russia weeks earlier that Singh will visit Moscow in his place.

Russian agencies had reported earlier that India was going to send Singh for the event. Russia celebrates May 9 annually, holding a parade in Moscow's Red Square, as victory day to mark the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.

An Indian contingent is also likely to participate in the parade even though it is yet to be officially confirmed. Russian deputy foreign minister Andrey Rudenko had earlier been quoted as saying by a Russian agency that Modi had been invited for the event and he was expected to participate.

However, Modi twice visited Russia in 2024 and it's the turn of President Vladimir Putin to visit India this year for the annual India-Russia summit. Both sides remain in touch diplomatically to finalise dates for the summit that India will host towards the end of this year.