Kremlin Confirms: Why Is Modi Skipping Russia’s Biggest Event of the Year?

Image Source: NPR

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the upcoming Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Wednesday. The event, marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, is likely to see several world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, but India will not be represented at the top level this year.

Peskov also told a briefing with the press that "the leader of India will not come," explaining India will be joining in the celebrations but through another diplomatic representative in place of the prime minister personally. The Kremlin would not declare the rank and name of the official who is going to participate on behalf of India, but news reports point to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as potential representative.

The announcement follows Russia’s earlier invitation to Prime Minister Modi and comes amid heightened security concerns in India after a recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The Ministry of External Affairs had previously acknowledged the invitation but said India’s participation would be confirmed at an appropriate time.

Despite Modi’s absence, diplomatic engagement between India and Russia remains active, with Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to visit India later this year as part of the annual bilateral summit tradition.

Source: Economic Times, LatestLY, Business Today, News18, Reuters, Telegraph India, Rediff