What happened?
Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted a grand Victory Day parade in Moscow, with Chinese President Xi Jinping as the guest of honour. The event commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. More than 20 foreign dignitaries, including Slovakia’s Robert Fico and Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, attended the parade. The parade featured a display of military equipment and soldiers in Red Square, followed by a speech from Putin. Putin also held a meeting with Xi Jinping prior to the parade.
Why it matters to India
The presence of Xi Jinping at the Victory Day parade underscores the strengthening strategic partnership between Russia and China, which has significant geopolitical implications for India. India maintains a complex relationship with both Russia and China, balancing its historical ties with Russia with its growing concerns about China’s assertiveness in the region. The parade and the associated diplomatic interactions highlight the evolving dynamics of major power relations, which India must carefully navigate. India has a long history of defence trade with Russia, but is also trying to diversify its defence suppliers. Therefore, the display of Russian military hardware is also of interest to the Indian military. Additionally, the meetings between Putin and Xi and other world leaders will be analysed by the Indian foreign policy establishment, to understand the current world order.