New Delhi, India – Amid growing tensions between India and Pakistan following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, India’s top leadership is expected to skip Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9, citing national security concerns.
According to a report by India Today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh — who was initially scheduled to attend the Moscow event on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi — is now likely to cancel his visit. The decision follows PM Modi’s earlier call-off of his own attendance in light of the April 22 attack, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, and was linked to Pakistan-based terrorist groups.
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Instead, India will be represented by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth at the event, which marks the 80th anniversary of the former Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
While Russian officials have not officially commented on the absence of India’s senior leadership, sources indicate that the move is primarily driven by internal security concerns and the government’s increased focus on strategic preparedness amid rising regional instability.
The annual Victory Day parade is a major event in Russia, symbolizing national pride and military strength. It regularly draws participation from global leaders and high-ranking military officials. India’s decision to scale back its representation this year may signal both caution and a strategic recalibration during a time of heightened cross-border tensions.
Following the Pahalgam attack, the Indian government has undertaken a series of retaliatory measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, banning all imports and transit of goods from Pakistan, expelling Pakistani defence diplomats, and restricting airspace access for Pakistani carriers.
In a high-level security briefing held earlier this week, Prime Minister Modi granted the armed forces “complete operational freedom” to respond to threats. He also vowed that the perpetrators and their supporters would be pursued to the “ends of the earth.”
As the security situation remains tense, government sources suggest that any foreign travel by top Indian officials is unlikely in the immediate future, with national security taking precedence.
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