Rajnath Singh to attend Moscow Victory Day Parade

New Delhi

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will represent India at the upcoming Victory Day Parade in Moscow, as confirmed by sources. Initially, Russia had extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the event. However, India communicated that Defence Minister Singh would be attending the parade on behalf of the country.

Victory Day, celebrated annually in Russia, marks the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The event is traditionally marked by a grand military parade in Moscow.

Rajnath Singh’s visit to Russia is not his first. In December 2023, he attended the commissioning ceremony of INS Tushil in Kaliningrad, Russia. During this trip, he also paid his respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow, honoring Soviet soldiers who died in the war. Additionally, Singh engaged with the Indian community in Russia.

INS Tushil, commissioned on December 9, is a stealth-guided missile frigate of the upgraded Krivak III class. It is part of an ongoing project under which six frigates have been commissioned into the Indian Navy, including ships built in St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India in the near future. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed in March that preparations for President Putin’s visit are underway. Last year, Prime Minister Modi visited Russia for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit, held at President Putin’s invitation.