Russia has officially invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the May 9 celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The announcement was made by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, who confirmed that the invitation has been sent and preparations for the visit are underway.
“It’s being worked out, it should be this year. He has an invitation,” Rudenko said on Tuesday, as quoted by Russian news agency TASS. Moscow is expecting leaders of several allied and friendly nations to participate in the commemorative Victory Day parade, a significant annual event in Russia.
Victory Day commemorates the Soviet Union’s role in the defeat of Nazi Germany, with May 9, 1945, marking the signing of the Act of Unconditional Surrender by Germany, effectively ending the Second World War in Europe.
Prime Minister Modi last visited Russia in July 2024, his first trip to the country since 2019 when he attended the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. During the 2024 visit, Modi extended an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit India — an invitation that Putin has accepted, although the exact dates are yet to be announced.