Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been officially invited to participate in Russia's Victory Day celebrations next year, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) asserted on Wednesday.
"Our Prime Minister has been invited for the participation in the Victory Day celebration. We will make an announcement about our participation in the Victory Day celebration in due course," MEA spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said during a regular press briefing in New Delhi.
Earlier during the day, reports indicated that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was also likely to attend the event as India's representative.
"[Singh going to Moscow for the parade] is possible," Russian official news agency Tass said, citing government sources.
The commemoration in Moscow's Red Square this year will be a celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over the Great Patriotic War.
On Tuesday, Tass also said that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko hoped PM Modi would come to the event on May 9, and added that talks on his possible visit were underway.
Also, plans are being made for an Indian military ceremonial unit to participate in the parade on Red Square.
Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov reported that many countries have officially confirmed their attendance at the May 9 celebrations. He stressed that invitations were not just extended to CIS leaders but also to heads of states from all over the globe.
It should be mentioned that President Vladimir Putin had previously invited PM Modi in 2020 to the 75th anniversary of Victory Day, which marks the victory of World War II.
Earlier this month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov underlined the developing momentum of diplomatic interactions between India and Russia, noting the convergence of views that both countries have on the developing multipolar international world order. Lavrov also asserted that preparations are being made for President Putin to visit India.
Relations between our nations have a long history. They could be said to have passed the test of time more than once. Today Russia and India are building on an equal cooperation based on genuine, reciprocal respect and consideration for each other's interests," Lavrov said in a speech to the first international conference titled 'Russia and India: Towards a New Agenda for Bilateral Relations' that was also attended by Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
He also added, "It is hard to overestimate the role of our leaders in this process. It is symbolic that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first bilateral foreign trip after re-election last year to Russia. Now it is our turn. Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted the invitation of the head of the Indian government. The visit of the head of the Russian state to the Republic of India is being prepared."
Earlier, Kremlin advisor Yury Ushakov had already confirmed President Putin would visit India in early 2025 after receiving an invitation from PM Modi. The visit will be expected to follow the annual bilateral summits tradition between the two leaders.
"Our leaders have a deal that they will meet annually. This year, it is our turn," Ushakov said in a press interaction.
The latest visit to India by President Putin was on December 6, 2021, where he visited the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi.
In comparison, Prime Minister Modi had two key visits to Russia during the past year—initially for the 22nd India-Russia Summit in July and subsequently for the BRICS Summit organized in Kazan in October.
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