NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday confirmed that Russia has invited PM Narendra Modi for its 80th Victory Day celebrations but said it hasn’t yet made a decision on the level of participation.
Russia celebrates May 9 annually, holding a parade in Moscow’s iconic Red Square, as Victory Day to mark the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany in 1945.
A Russian news agency reported that defence minister Rajnath Singh might represent India at the parade, but this was not confirmed by the Indian govt. “The PM has received an invitation. We will be announcing our participation at the appropriate time,” said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson, ministry of external affairs. An Indian contingent is also likely to participate in the parade even though it is yet to be officially confirmed.
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Deputy foreign minister Andrey Rudenko was quoted as saying by a Russian agency that Modi had been invited for the event and was expected to participate. “It’s being worked out… he has an invitation.”
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. tnn
