NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be representing India at the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Sunday.
According to sources, Jaishankar is likely to have a short call on with Trump as well as Marco Rubio, the incoming Secretary of State. The meetings are expected to set the tone for India-US relations under the Trump administration.
India-US relations have traditionally enjoyed bipartisan political support. However, Trump’s inauguration comes amid concerns over trade disruptions due to his hawkish tariff policies. Trump has said he will strive to boost American manufacturing and cut down on international engagements.
Traditionally, US Presidential inaugurations are a low-key affair. However, Trump has extended invitations to leaders from a clutch of select countries including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. For India, the invitation was for Jaishankar.
"EAM will also have meetings with representatives of the incoming Administration, as also some other dignitaries visiting the US on that occasion,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.
While bilateral ties under the outgoing Joe Biden administration saw improvement, such as the successful Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies, political ties were strained following Gurpatwant Singh Pannun murder plot.
Trump’s tariff discussions and the policy of bringing manufacturing back to the US are raising concerns in India but New Delhi is optimistic about smoother bilateral relations. This confidence is based on the strong foundation of India-US ties and the personal rapport between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to Jaishankar, India is better equipped to deal with these global disruptions. Speaking in Sydney last November, he had said: “There was already a reordering of supply chains, and this is likely to accelerate following the US election results. While some disruption may occur, India sees it as an opportunity.”