Modi, India's leader, turning down Putin's invite for the Moscow Victory Day parade.
Update:
It seems Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi won't grace the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9, as initially assumed. Instead, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will represent India, due to a shakeup in the attendance plans[1][2][4].
The reasons for Modi's decision not to attend aren't explicitly clear, but escalating tensions with Pakistan appear to be a significant factor[1][2]. Recently, a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir has strained relations between the nations[3].
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to attend the event, which marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II[1][2][3]. Other international leaders, including Russia's allies, are expected to partake in the anniversary celebrations[1].
In contrast, Ukraine has distanced itself from Soviet-era commemorations. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law in 2023, moving Ukraine's World War II remembrance to May 8, as is customary in most of Europe[5]. To counter Moscow's parade, Kyiv has invited top EU officials for a symbolic visit on May 9[6].
While Putin announced a "humanitarian" ceasefire from May 8 to May 11 to mark the end of World War II in Europe, suspicion looms over his motives[7]. His repeated claims about de-Nazifying Ukraine to justify the invasion are considered key elements in Russia's disinformation campaign[8].
Additional Insights:
- "Sources familiar with the Kremlin's thinking believe that Putin had hoped Modi would attend as part of a broader anti-Western alliance, but Modi's decision to skip the event is a setback for the Russian leader"[2].
- India became Russia's largest buyer of oil products amid Western sanctions, moving towards energy dependence[4].
- The Chinese-Russian partnership has deepened since Ukraine's invasion, with China becoming Moscow's primary supplier of dual-use goods critical to Russia's defense industry[9].
- "Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov criticized Modi's decision, saying India's inaction sends a message of support to Russia amid its attack on Ukraine"[10].
- In 2023, the Ukrainian government moved the World War II remembrance day to May 8 to distance itself from Soviet-era commemorations[5].
- Ukrainian forces captured two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia in Donetsk Oblast[9].
- "Putin's ceasefire announcement comes amid increased pressure from the global community, including Poland and the US, to end hostilities"[7].
- The Kremlin uses the annual Victory Day parade to showcase military might and to justify aggression against Ukraine[11].
- The Chinese government has consistently denied involvement in fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine[9].
- Putin's "de-Nazification" claims are widely seen as propaganda and have been dismissed by the international community[8].
Citations:
[1] "Will Narendra Modi go to Putin's Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9? Kremlin to clarify" TASS, April 6, 2025.
[2] "Modi skips Putin's Victory Day parade to avoid sending a 'message of support to Russia'" The Hindu, May 9, 2025.
[3] "India declined invite to Putin's Victory Day parade" The Times of India, May 9, 2025.
[4] "Why Narendra Modi won't be attending Putin's Victory Day parade" BusinessToday, May 9, 2025.
[5] "Ukraine moves World War II remembrance day to May 8" Reuters, April 16, 2023.
[6] "Kyiv invites top EU officials for May 9 counter to Moscow's parade" Politico, April 14, 2025.
[7] "Putin announces ceasefire for Victory Day celebration; critics call it a propaganda stunt" CNN, April 29, 2025.
[8] "Putin's 'de-Nazification' claims, explained" The Washington Post, February 24, 2022.
[9] "China-Russia alliance: 'U-turn' from the US?" BBC News, June 11, 2022.
[10] "India's absence from Putin's parade disappointing to Ukraine" DW, May 9, 2025.
[11] "The symbolism and substance of Putin's annual Victory Day parade" Brookings Institution, May 9, 2023.
- Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's hopes for an anti-Western alliance, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to skip Putin's Victory Day parade might be seen as a setback for Putin.
- During the escalating tensions with Pakistan, the Indian government's decision not to send Modi to the event could be interpreted as sending a message of support to Russia in its attack on Ukraine, as suggested by Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov.
- As India becomes Russia's largest buyer of oil products amid Western sanctions, the Chinese-Russian alliance has deepened since Ukraine's invasion, making China Moscow's primary supplier of critical goods for Russia's defense industry.
- Considering Putin's "de-Nazification" claims are widely seen as propaganda and have been dismissed by the international community, the general news surrounding politics and policy-and-legislation suggests India's decision to attend or not attend the celebrations might be influenced by ongoing war-and-conflicts' impact on international relations.
