[By Guancha Observer Network, Shao Yun] On May 3, the Press Trust of India (PTI) and India's Business Line reported that Rajnath Singh, who was originally scheduled to attend Russia's Victory Day Parade on May 9 as a substitute for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would also be absent due to "busy domestic affairs." He will be replaced by his deputy, Minister of State for Defense Sanjay Seth.

The Business Line said, according to sources within the Ministry of Home Affairs, after the gun attack in the Kashmir region under Indian control, which resulted in 26 deaths and 17 injuries, tensions between India and neighboring Pakistan have escalated; coupled with other important matters Singh has to prepare for, this has prompted him to reconsider his schedule. The report mentioned that Singh will attend a defense bilateral meeting with Japan on May 5.

"Official sources" told PTI on the 3rd that Seth may replace Singh to attend relevant events in Moscow, Russia at that time.

Photo: Seth, India Today Group

It is reported that Russia has invited leaders from several friendly countries to attend the Victory Parade celebrating the end of World War II on the coming Friday (May 9). Modi had also received an invitation but decided not to attend due to the gun attack incident in the border area with Pakistan. Modi also shortened his planned two-day visit to Saudi Arabia and returned early to assess the situation and clarify India's stance.

On April 22, a gun attack targeting tourists occurred near Pahalgam town in the Kashmir region under Indian control. India accused Pakistan of being involved in this attack and announced a series of measures to "downgrade" relations with Pakistan on April 23, including suspending the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960, closing border crossings, expelling Pakistani personnel, etc. In response, Pakistan announced a series of countermeasures against India.

In the past nearly two weeks, relations between India and Pakistan have been tense. The Indian military stated on May 4 that the Pakistani Army had crossed some posts along the actual control line in Kashmir overnight on the 3rd to the morning of the 4th, using small arms fire, and the Indian Army responded accordingly. Indian media reported that the two sides have been exchanging fire near the actual control line for ten consecutive days. In addition, the Times of India reported that both sides conducted live ammunition exercises in the Arabian Sea.

The Hindustan Times reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin was one of the first foreign leaders to condemn the attack. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, on the 2nd, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and Indian External Affairs Minister Sujan Singh spoke over the phone, discussing key issues in Russo-Indian relations as well as the deterioration of relations between India and Pakistan. Lavrov called for both parties to resolve their differences through political and diplomatic means based on the Shimla Agreement of 1972 and the Lahore Declaration of 1999.

According to the message released by the Russian Foreign Ministry, Lavrov and Sujan Singh also discussed the schedule for upcoming high-level contacts between the two countries. It is reported that Modi visited Russia twice last July and October to meet with Putin, the former being a state visit and the latter to participate in the 16th BRICS Summit. Subsequently, in December, Singh held talks with Russian Defense Minister Shoigu in Moscow, agreeing to deepen cooperation between the two countries.

Photo: Modi (right) and Singh (left), PTI

Modi has invited Putin to visit India this year. According to the Russian satellite news agency, Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of the Russian president, stated on April 17 that Putin's visit to India is currently being prepared, and Russia expects to enhance contact with India and attach great significance to this visit. If it takes place, this visit will be Putin's first visit to India since the outbreak of the Ukraine-Russia conflict in February 2022.

On the other hand, regarding the gun attack incident in the Indian-controlled Kashmir region on April 22, Pakistan has repeatedly called for an international investigation that is credible, transparent, and neutral. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on the 2nd that Pakistan was not involved in this incident and accused India of attempting to link Pakistan to this incident without evidence. He said that Pakistan is contacting friendly countries to clarify its position.

Pakistani Defense Minister Asif made a proposal during an interview with Russian media last week that Russia and China could participate in the international investigation of the incident. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that China welcomes any initiative conducive to easing the current situation and supports conducting an impartial investigation as soon as possible. As a common neighbor of India and Pakistan, China hopes that both sides will exercise restraint, move toward each other, properly handle their differences through dialogue and consultation, and jointly maintain regional peace and stability.

This article is an exclusive article by the Guancha Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7500470222802010663/

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