Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is unlikely to attend the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9, amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said on Saturday.

Instead, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth may represent India at the commemorative event marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

While no formal explanation has been given for Singh’s absence, sources within the Defence Ministry indicated that the evolving security situation, particularly in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, played a key role in the decision.

The situation further escalated as the Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire agreement for the ninth consecutive day on Saturday, targeting Indian positions along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara, Uri, and Akhnoor sectors. The Indian Army responded with controlled but effective counter-fire.

Initially, Russian President Vladimir Putin had extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Victory Day parade. However, due to the current security dynamics, the Indian government opted to delegate representation to the Defence Minister—who is now also expected to skip the event.

This year’s Victory Day event is a high-profile occasion in Russia’s diplomatic calendar, with leaders from around 20 countries, including China’s President Xi Jinping, expected to attend. The annual Red Square parade in Moscow commemorates the Soviet victory in World War II and is a key national celebration.

Prime Minister Modi has visited Russia twice in 2024—once for an annual bilateral summit with President Putin and again for the BRICS Summit in Kazan. President Putin is expected to visit India later this year for a scheduled annual summit.

The decision to send Sanjay Seth instead of Rajnath Singh underscores India’s serious focus on domestic security in light of the Pahalgam terror strike, which killed 26 people and injured several others. Diplomatic observers suggest that this move reflects New Delhi’s need to prioritize internal stability while maintaining global engagements.