New Delhi: On January 20, Donald Trump will take oath as the President of America for the second time. Trump has sent invitations to many global leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, to attend his swearing-in ceremony. However, the name of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not in this list, due to which discussion has intensified in political and diplomatic circles.
joined the presidential race
In September last year, when Donald Trump and Kamala Harris joined the race for the US presidency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. At that time, Trump had expressed his desire to meet Prime Minister Modi in a press conference. Trump believed that a high-profile meeting with Modi would strengthen his electoral image. Global leaders such as Argentinian President Xavier Milley, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were either supporting Trump or meeting him. Meeting Modi would have sent a big message to Trump's supporters and the general American public. When Trump expressed his desire to meet Modi, a difficult question arose before Indian diplomats. Trump's indirect electoral boost from the 'Howdy Modi' event in 2019 was considered a diplomatic mistake.
could have gained electoral advantage
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs decided that it would be in India's long-term interest to maintain distance from the US presidential candidates. If Modi had met Trump and Kamala Harris had won the election, it could have had a negative impact on India-US relations. This was the reason why Modi did not meet Trump. Trump was unhappy that meeting Modi could have given him electoral benefits, but India avoided it. However, Trump won the election and now he is going to take the oath of office again.
decided to send a representative
Trump has mostly invited those leaders for the swearing-in ceremony who are ideologically close to him or who have openly supported him. In view of deteriorating relations with China, Trump has especially sent an invitation to President Xi Jinping, although Jinping has decided to send one of his senior representatives. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited America in late December amid speculation that Prime Minister Modi was not invited. He met the transition team and other senior officials of the Trump administration. The Indian government clarified that this visit is to strengthen relations between the two countries.
No one from India ever joined
The Indian government clarified that this visit is to strengthen relations between the two countries. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said- The purpose of the External Affairs Minister's visit to Washington DC was to review the progress made in the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership over the last few years. According to top sources of the government, no one from India ever attended the swearing-in ceremony of the President. Our objective is to maintain equal relations with both parties of America – Democrat and Republican.
relationships will remain strong
Prime Minister Modi not attending the swearing-in ceremony will not have any long-term impact. India-US relations will remain strong, whether Trump or someone else is in the White House. However, this incident is an indication that India views its foreign policy from a global and long-term perspective. Also read: 'BJP has accepted defeat, firing is going on openly on the streets, to become CM you will have to do this'…
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