After PM Modi, Rajnath Singh to skip Russia's Victory Day parade; junior minister Sanjay Seth to attend: Report

Defence minister Rajnath Singh is unlikely to attend Russia’s Victory Day parade on May 9, with minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth expected to represent India, official sources told news agency PTI on Saturday.

The decision comes amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.

Russia had initially invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the event marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. It was later decided that Rajnath Singh would attend on India's behalf, but now the junior defence minister is set to lead the delegation.

Moscow has extended invitations to leaders from several friendly nations for this year's parade, a key symbolic event in Russia’s political and military calendar.

Prime Minister Modi visited Russia twice last year, once for the annual bilateral summit with President Vladimir Putin and later to participate in the BRICS Summit held in Kazan. President Putin is expected to visit India later this year for the next edition of the annual summit.

(With inputs form PTI)