PM Modi to skip Russia's Victory Day parade on May 9 in backdrop of Pahalgam attack

Modi will skip but an alternate delegation will attend the parade, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

Russia had extended an invitation to India for the parade, which is an annual military event held on May 9 in Moscow's Red Square to commemorate the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

The parade features military displays, speeches, and a showcase of Russia's armed forces.

The decision of Modi skipping the event comes amid the Prime Minister's huddle with his cabinet ministers as the Indian armed forces are planning to avenge the terror attack which killed 26 tourists, all men and mostly Hindus, in the popular tourist spot of Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir.

Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs- also known as Super Cabinet- that comprises top ministers of the Union Cabinet.

The 'Super Cabinet' meeting has assumed significance as it last met in 2019 after the Army conducted Balakot airstrike which was a response to the Pulwama terror attack.

Prior to this, Modi on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security that comprises the Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister, Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister.

This was the second time when Modi presided over a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security since the Pahalgam terror attack.