India, April 9 -- Defence minister Rajnath Singh is expected to represent India at Russia's Victory Day parade to be held next month to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory over Germany in World War II, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received an invitation to attend the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9, he is not expected to travel to Russia, the people added on condition of anonymity.

Earlier, Russia's state-run Tass news agency quoted deputy foreign minister Andrey Rudenko as saying that Moscow has invited Modi to attend celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Germany in World War II and the Indian premier is expected at the May 9 parade. "It's...