External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is representing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his special envoy at Donald Trump’s inaugural function, is carrying a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the US President.
Trump is taking charge as the 47th President of the US today.
The external affairs minister’s presence at the presidential inauguration is in line with India’s general practice to send special envoys to attend the swearing-in ceremony of heads of state and government, PTI quoted sources as saying.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the swearing-in ceremony of the president of Nigeria in May 2023 while then Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju attended the swearing-in ceremony of Maldivian president in November 2023, the sources said citing past precedents.
Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Iranian president in July last year and MoS for external affairs Pabitra Margherita attended the oath taking ceremony of president of Indonesia and president of Mexico in October 2024, the sources were quoted as saying.
In June 2022, the then MoS for external affairs Raj Kumar Ranjan Singh attended the swearing-in ceremony of the president of Philippines, they added.
Trump will take the oath of office, administered by Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts, at 12 pm EST (1700 GMT).
It was originally due to take place in front of the US Capitol but will now take place inside the congressional complex because of bitter cold.
Outgoing president Joe Biden has said he plans to attend the ceremony and witness the transfer of power, a courtesy Trump did not afford him four years ago.
Country music star Carrie Underwood is scheduled to perform at the swearing-in ceremony, according to a copy of the official program seen by Reuters.
With inputs from agencies
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Jaishankar to represents PM Modi at Trump’s inauguration with special letter
