Rajnath Singh will not participate in Russia's "Victory Day" parade, while his deputy will represent India. Modi had visited Russia two times last year for an annual summit with President Vladimir Putin and also attended the BRICS Summit in Kazan.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will not attend the Russian Victory Day parade. Official sources say that Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth will likely represent India in Moscow this week.

India has now decided to send the junior defence minister to the ceremony on the 9th of May. This comes amid growing tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Russia had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Victory Day function. The function will commemorate 80 years of the Soviet victory over Germany in the Second World War. Officials had then decided that Rajnath Singh would attend the event.

Sources have confirmed that Sanjay Seth will now represent India at the parade. This year's Victory Day parade in Russia includes invitations to leaders from several friendly nations.

Modi had travelled to Russia on two occasions last year. He had attended the annual summit with President Vladimir Putin and later participated in the BRICS Summit in Kazan.

Officials expect the Russian president to visit India later this year for the annual summit.