Modi to Skip Moscow’s 80th Victory Day Parade; Rajnath Singh to Lead Indian Delegation
New Delhi/Moscow:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be attending the 80th anniversary celebrations of World War II Victory Day in Moscow next month, the Kremlin confirmed on April 30, 2025. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will represent India at the commemorative events instead.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that “India will not be represented at the highest level,” confirming that Russia’s invitation to PM Modi had been declined. Sources from the Indian side said that the decision to send Defence Minister Singh had been conveyed to Moscow well in advance.
Mr. Modi had visited Russia twice in 2024 — once for the annual India-Russia summit and again for the BRICS meeting in Kazan. President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India later this year for the next bilateral summit.
Victory Day, marked on May 9, commemorates the Allied triumph over Nazi Germany in 1945. This year’s parade holds added significance as it marks 80 years since the end of WWII. Russia has declared a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8 to 10 to observe the occasion.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has confirmed his attendance, joining nearly 20 other global leaders expected to participate in the grand military parade on Moscow’s Red Square.
President Putin, highlighting the historic importance of the date, said, “On the banks of the Volga, our troops halted and crushed the enemy… a decisive blow that opened the road to Berlin and the Great Victory, whose 80th anniversary we will soon celebrate.”
