Jaishankar Seated In First Row First Column At Trump’s Inauguration

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was seated in the first row at Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th US President, while his Japanese and Australian counterparts were in the third row.

Jaishankar was seen seated in the first column alongside Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa. Two rows behind, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong sat behind at the event. Both Japan and Australia are part of QUAD, which also includes India and the US.

Taking to microblogging platform X, Jaishankar said, “Privileged to represent as External Affairs Minister and Special Envoy of PM at the Swearing-In Ceremony of the 47th President of the United States of America today in Washington DC. ”

Sources revealed that Jaishankar delivered a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Trump. His presence aligns with India’s established tradition of sending special envoys to attend the swearing-in ceremonies of global leaders.

The inauguration took place indoors at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, with US Chief Justice John Roberts administering the oath of office to Trump. Prior to this, JD Vance was sworn in as the 50th US Vice President.

In his inaugural address, President Trump proclaimed the beginning of a “golden age” for America and declared the day as the nation’s “Liberation Day.”

Shortly after taking office, President Trump signed eight executive orders as his first official action. These included revoking 78 decisions made by the previous Biden administration and formally withdrawing the US from the Paris Climate Treaty.