The inauguration of the 47th US President, Donald Trump, signaled a promising future for India-US ties, with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar attending as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s special envoy. Jaishankar was offered a front-row seat at the White House event, alongside Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, marking a significant upgrade in the protocol of official representation.
A Symbol of Stronger Ties
During the ceremony, Jaishankar was seated in the front row at the Capitol Rotunda, an honor not extended to other foreign leaders, such as Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, who was seated two rows behind. This gesture underlined the strong diplomatic ties between India and the United States.
Jaishankar carried a letter from Prime Minister Modi for President Trump, and shared his privilege of representing India at the inauguration in a post on X, stating, “Privileged to represent as External Affairs Minister and special envoy of the PM at the swearing-in ceremony of the 47th President of the United States of America today in Washington, DC.”
Engagement with US Leadership
During the event, Jaishankar engaged with key figures from the new US administration, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. He also met Kash Patel, Donald Trump’s nominee for FBI Director, highlighting India’s focus on strengthening relations with the incoming US government.
Diplomatic Discussions and Global Outreach
Jaishankar conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Modi to Argentina’s President Javier Milei, further emphasizing India’s commitment to robust international relations. Prior to the inauguration, Jaishankar attended a church service and interacted with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
Strengthening the Quad Alliance
Before the swearing-in, Jaishankar held discussions with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya in Washington. Talks centered around the Quad alliance, with Wong reiterating the “iron-clad commitment” and Japan’s efforts to strengthen the Quad’s role in the Indo-Pacific region.
Continued Diplomatic Efforts
This marks Jaishankar’s second visit to the US in 30 days, following a trip in December where he met with Trump administration officials. His presence at the inauguration exemplifies India’s proactive approach in fostering ties with the United States and its global partners.
