New Delhi: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar will represent the Indian government at the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Donald J Trump as the 47th President of the US. This was announced by the ministry on Sunday after an invitation from the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee was reportedly received. The event is slated to be held on January 20 (Monday)
“On the invitation of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar will represent the Government of India at the Swearing-In Ceremony of President-Elect Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America,” a statement from the Ministry of External Affair read.
Jaishankar is expected to meet with members of the new US administration as well as other key figures who will be in the US for the inauguration, the ministry statement added.
Trump has reportedly invited several world leaders to the inauguration ceremony, including Chinese President Xi Jinping who is unlikely to attend the event. Argentina President Javier Milei, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have expressed her intention to attend the event. Hungary’s Viktor Orban, who is holidaying in Kerala in India, has said that he would consider attending.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has also received an invitation to attend the swearing-in ceremony and so also former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has been reportedly invited though his presence is not yet confirmed, reports added.
During the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Trump’s swearing-in ceremony will be held on the West Front of the US Capitol in Washington, coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday. President Trump will deliver his inaugural address. Later, he will proceed to the President’s Room in the Capitol for official actions. He is likely to sign some executive orders. A traditional Inaugural Luncheon will be hosted in Statuary Hall. It will be attended by dignitaries, including members of Congress and the Supreme Court. The celebrations will conclude with the Inaugural Balls.