Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to travel to Moscow next month to represent India at Russia's grand Victory Day celebrations, according to reports by Russian state media. The event, scheduled for May 9, will commemorate the 80th anniversary of Russia’s victory in the Great Patriotic War and is set to take place on the historic Red Square. The report, released by Russia’s state-run news agency Tass, cited Indian government sources confirming that Singh’s presence at the event is “possible,” though an official confirmation is yet to be made. The news comes shortly after reports that Russian authorities had also invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the ceremony.

The Victory Day celebration is a major annual event in Russia, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany and honoring the sacrifices of World War II veterans. The 2025 edition holds added significance due to its 80th anniversary milestone. A ceremonial detachment of the Indian armed forces may also participate in the military parade, echoing the country's previous participations in Russian events of global historical importance.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko recently stated that the Russian government is “expecting” Prime Minister Modi to attend, with plans for the high-level visit currently under consideration. Further emphasizing the strong diplomatic rapport between the two nations, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that invitations had been extended to numerous global leaders, not just those from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). This isn’t the first time President Vladimir Putin has extended an invitation to Modi for Victory Day celebrations. In 2020, Putin invited him for the 75th anniversary event, though the global pandemic had altered many international travel plans that year.

In a broader context, the growing momentum in bilateral relations was underlined by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a recent conference titled "Russia and India: Towards a New Agenda for Bilateral Relations." Lavrov highlighted the long-standing nature of the India-Russia partnership and emphasized the political synergy between both nations, particularly on global issues such as multipolar world order, strategic autonomy, and sovereign policy-making. Lavrov also shared that preparations are underway for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s official state visit to India in early 2025. The visit will be part of the ongoing commitment by both countries to maintain annual summit-level engagements, reinforcing their comprehensive strategic partnership.

The last time Putin visited India was in December 2021 for the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi. In 2023, Modi made two high-profile visits to Russia—first in July for the 22nd India-Russia Summit and again in October for the BRICS Summit in Kazan, indicating sustained engagement at the highest levels. According to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, the tradition of annual summits is an essential aspect of the India-Russia relationship. "Our leaders have an agreement to meet once a year. This time, it is our turn," Ushakov said, further confirming that Putin's visit is on the cards for early 2025.

With Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s likely participation in the May 9 Victory Day celebrations and Putin's planned visit to India in the coming months, both nations appear poised to deepen their multifaceted cooperation, spanning defense, energy, space, and multilateral diplomacy. The developments come at a time when global geopolitical alignments are shifting, and both Russia and India are investing in longstanding partnerships that offer strategic balance and mutual respect.