Indian MPs Face Mid-air Scare Amid Drone Attack near Moscow Airport

MOSCOW:
A tense moment unfolded in Russian skies as a drone attack disrupted air traffic at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport just moments before a flight carrying an Indian parliamentary delegation was scheduled to land.

The flight, which included prominent Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, was forced to circle the airport for an extended period before receiving clearance to land. The delegation had departed India on Thursday, May 22, for an official visit to Russia as part of India’s global outreach programme, ‘Operation Sindoor.’

Due to the drone incident, no aircraft were permitted to land for some time, including the Indian delegation’s flight. Members of the team reported that the aircraft remained airborne for a significant duration owing to the evolving security situation. Eventually, the plane landed safely, and Indian Embassy officials promptly received and escorted the delegation to their hotel.

The all-party delegation, led by Kanimozhi, includes Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai, BJP MP Capt Brijesh Chowta (Retd), RJD MP Prem Chand Gupta, AAP MP Dr Ashok Kumar Mittal, and former Indian ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri.

India’s Ambassador to Russia, HE Vinay Kumar, welcomed the dignitaries upon arrival. The embassy in a statement noted, “A busy schedule of meetings and interactions awaits them in Moscow on May 23-24.”

Highlighting the purpose of the visit, the Indian Embassy posted on X that the delegation’s mission underscores India’s unwavering stand against terrorism. “The delegation will engage with top Russian lawmakers from the Federation Council and State Duma, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, think tanks, and media representatives,” the statement added.

The visit is part of India’s continued diplomatic efforts to strengthen its global voice against terrorism and build strategic partnerships under ‘Operation Sindoor.’