Rajnath Singh to represent India at 80th Victory Day event in Moscow

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will represent India at the 80th anniversary celebrations of Victory Day to be held in Moscow next month.

As per sources, the Russian side was informed earlier about Rajnath Singh representing India.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov today said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not be attending the celebrations that include a military parade in Moscow on May 9. “India will not be represented at the highest level,” Peskov said.

President Vladimir Putin had invited Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the celebration in Moscow to watch the victory parade at the Red Square. Russia has also declared a ceasefire in Ukraine on May 8-10 for WWII Victory Day

Russia's state-run news agency quoted Putin as saying, “On the banks of the Volga, our troops halted and crushed the enemy. A decisive blow was delivered to the Nazi war machine, marking a turning point in the war and opening the road westward — to Berlin and to the Great Victory, whose 80th anniversary we will solemnly celebrate on May 9.”