Russia formally extended an invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Moscow’s May 9 Victory Day Parade that marks the Soviet Union’s historic victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko made the confirmation of the invitation, Firstpost said. The announcement is made when there were widespread rumors that PM Modi would miss the event. The confirmation, nonetheless, means that discussions on his prospective visit are ongoing and Moscow is looking forward to Modi participating in the high-profile event.
Russia invited leaders from allied countries to participate in this year’s parade, one of the country’s most significant events annually. The ceremony commemorates the Soviet Red Army’s final advance on Nazi Germany in January 1945, which ended with the ultimate triumph of World War II in Europe.
If PM Modi goes there, it would be his second trip to Russia in a year’s time. He last went there in July 2024 — his first one in nearly five years — for a bilateral summit and to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to India. Putin has accepted the invitation, though the dates of his trip are yet to be announced.
The diplomatic outreach reflects the sustained vitality of India-Russia relations despite the evolving global geopolitical dynamics.