PM Narendra Modi won’t attend May 9 celebrations in Russia, says Kremlin spokesperson

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be travelling to Russia for the Victory Day celebrations, according to the Kremlin spokesperson. The clarification came after multiple reports claimed PM Modi was expected to attend the May 9 parade in Moscow to mark the 80th anniversary of victory over Germany in World War II.Defence Minister Rajnath Singh may attend the event in Moscow on May 9, as per a report by the Russian news agency TASS earlier this month. Singh’s visit to Moscow for the parade is possible, it reported, citing sources in the Indian government.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal earlier said that the Prime Minister

received an invitation to participate in Victory Day celebrations. During a press briefing, he said, “We will be announcing our participation in the Victory Day celebration at the appropriate time. As far as the participation of the Indian contingent is concerned, again, we will let you know as and when we have an update.”
TASS in February reported that the PM was likely to visit Russia for the May 9 parade at Moscow’s Red Square. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning a visit to the May 9 parade in Moscow. It is highly likely that it will take place,” it quoted sources as saying.Last year in October, PM Modi visited Russia at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin to attend the 16th BRICS Summit. Before this, in July, he visited the country to attend the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.

The Soviet Army fought World War II alongside the Allies against the Nazi Germany. On May 9, the commanders-in-chief signed the Act of Unconditional Surrender of Germany, effectively ending the war.