PM Modi Invited to Join Russia's Victory Day Celebrations: MEA

New Delhi, April 9 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received an invitation to take part in Russia's Victory Day celebrations next month, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday.

During a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the MEA, stated, "Our Prime Minister has received an invitation for participation in the Victory Day celebrations. We will announce our participation at the appropriate time."

Earlier, reports from Russian media suggested that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh might also attend the celebrations next month.

According to Russia's state-run news agency Tass, Indian government sources indicated that Singh's visit to Moscow for the parade is "possible."

The commemorations at Red Square in Moscow will celebrate the 80th anniversary of Russia's victory in the Great Patriotic War.

On Tuesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko mentioned that Moscow was looking forward to Modi's presence at the parade on May 9, and arrangements for the visit were in progress.

The report also noted that the participation of a ceremonial detachment from the Indian armed forces in the Red Square parade is being organized.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remarked that numerous countries have confirmed their attendance at the events scheduled for May 9 in Moscow, with invitations extended to various foreign leaders beyond just the CIS members.

Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin had invited Prime Minister Modi to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Moscow in May 2020.

Last month, highlighting the "dynamically developing" political dialogue between India and Russia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that preparations were underway for President Putin's forthcoming visit to India.

"Our countries share a long history of relations that have withstood the test of time. Currently, Russia and India are fostering equal cooperation based on sincere mutual respect and consideration of each other's interests," Lavrov stated at the first international conference titled 'Russia and India: Towards a New Agenda for Bilateral Relations,' also attended by External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar.

He added, "It is hard to overstate the contribution of our leaders to this process. It is symbolic that Prime Minister Modi made his first bilateral foreign visit after his re-election last year to Russia. Now, it is our turn. President Putin has accepted the invitation from the Indian government, and preparations are in place for his visit to India."

Earlier, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov confirmed that Putin is expected to visit India in early 2025 following an invitation from Prime Minister Modi.

This visit is part of the ongoing commitment to maintain annual meetings between the two leaders.

"Our leaders have an agreement to meet once a year. This time, it is our turn," Ushakov stated during a press conference.

The last visit by the Russian President to India occurred on December 6, 2021, during the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit held in New Delhi.

Meanwhile, PM Modi undertook two significant visits to Russia last year, participating in the 22nd Russia-India Summit in July and later attending the BRICS Summit in Kazan in October.