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Defense Ministry Head to Skip May 9 Moscow Parade in India's Absence.

India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, had planned to attend a parade in Moscow. However, heightened tensions with Pakistan led to him cancelling his trip. India's Minister of Defense was also set to visit Russia, but he too declined the invitation to Moscow.

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Defense Ministry Head to Skip May 9 Moscow Parade in India's Absence.

India's Defense Minister Snubs Moscow Victory Parade Over Pakistan Tensions

In a surprising turn of events, India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will reportedly skip the May 9 parade in Moscow celebrating the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. His deputy, Sanjay Seth, is expected to attend in his place, according to sources from India Today and the Russian government.

This decision comes as India and Pakistan grapple with escalating hostilities, with tensions soaring high after the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22 that claimed 26 lives and injured dozens more. The attack, claimed by the "Resistance Front," an offshoot of the Pakistan-based terrorist organization "Lashkar-e-Taiba" (banned in Russia), has sparked a new crisis between the two nations.

Initially, it was anticipated that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would participate in the celebrations, having been invited by Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, Modi won't be making the trip, with sources from The Times of India reporting that Rajnath Singh was to represent India at the Victory Parade just a few weeks ago.

Hours before the announcement of Modi's absence in Moscow, Pakistan's Information Minister, Fawad Chaudhry, accused India of planning an attack within the next 24-36 hours. This accusation followed Modi's statement that the Indian Ministry of Defense was free to take decisions on retaliatory measures after the Pahalgam attack.

Amidst the ongoing standoff, Russia has maintained a supportive stance towards India. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the attack and reaffirmed Moscow's commitment to work in cooperation with India to counter terrorism. The Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, also extended condolences and expressed solidarity with India.

Yet, India's top leaders are choosing to prioritize stability at home over attending international events abroad, as tensions with Pakistan remain high. This focus on domestic preparedness underscores the government's commitment to being ready for any potential escalation with Pakistan.

On May 9th, Russia will commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, with a parade on Red Square in Moscow. Leaders from over two dozen countries are expected to attend, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Brazil, Venezuela, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Serbia. However, the absence of India's top leadership from the celebrations highlights the current state of geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan.

Sources:1. India Today2. The Times of India3. RBC Group4. News 185. The Economic Times.

  1. It's likely that Rajnath Singh's decision to skip the May 9 parade in Moscow may be a response to the escalating tensions with Pakistan.
  2. Despite the absence of India's Defense Minister, Russia is expected to welcome leaders from Belarus, a key ally, to the May 9 Victory Parade.
  3. The ongoing war-and-conflicts, politics, and crime-and-justice news cycles are dominated by the volatile situation between India and Pakistan.
  4. General news outlets, such as India Today and The Times of India, are closely following the developments between India and Pakistan, providing regular updates on the tensions.
  5. Amidst the crisis, the dynamics of international relations, particularly those involving India, Pakistan, Russia, and other nations, are continuously evolving, adding another layer to the complexities of war-and-conflicts and politics.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called off his trip to Moscow for a parade, as tensions with Pakistan intensified. Initially, Indian Defense Minister may have plans to travel to Russia, but also decided to cancel his visit to Moscow.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's planned visit to Moscow for a parade was called off due to heightened tensions with Pakistan. Similarly, the Indian Defense Minister opted to forego a trip to Russia, also influenced by the escalating situation with Pakistan.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi abandoned a scheduled appearance at a parade in Moscow, citing heightened tensions with Pakistan. In his absence, India's Defense Minister was expected to attend in Russia, but he too declined the visit to Moscow.

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