Overview

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend Russia's May 9 Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, the Kremlin confirmed.
• The decision follows heightened security concerns after a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26 people.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to lead India's delegation at the event, marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany.
• Modi had received an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin, but no formal reason for his absence has been announced by Indian officials.
• India and Russia continue to engage diplomatically, with Modi previously inviting Putin to visit India following his 2024 Moscow trip.