New Delhi [India]: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to represent Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his Special Envoy at the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States in Washington, D.C., today. Sources reveal that Jaishankar will also carry a letter from PM Modi addressed to President Trump.
“It has been customary for India to send Special Envoys to attend the swearing-in ceremonies of Heads of State and Government,” sources noted.
In recent years, other Indian ministers have fulfilled similar roles. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the swearing-in of Nigeria’s President in May 2023, while the then-Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju represented India at the inauguration of the Maldives’ President in November 2023. Similarly, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari attended Iran’s presidential swearing-in in July 2024.
Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita attended the swearing-in ceremonies for the Presidents of Indonesia and Mexico in October last year, and the then External Affairs Minister Raj Kumar Ranjan Singh participated in the inauguration of the Philippines’ President in June 2022.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway at the US Capitol Rotunda, where Donald Trump will take his oath for a second term as the 47th US President. Large crowds have already started gathering for the event, which follows Trump’s recent electoral college victory certification by Congress.
The day’s events will begin with Trump attending a service at St. John’s Church, followed by a visit to Blair House, the President’s Guest House. At the North Portico, outgoing President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will welcome Vice President Kamala Harris, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, President-elect Donald Trump, and Melania Trump.
Vice President-elect JD Vance will take the oath of office before Trump’s formal swearing-in. Trump’s inauguration speech will mark the ceremonial transition of power.
A farewell ceremony for Biden and Harris will take place, followed by a signing room ceremony where Trump and Vance will conduct one of the new administration’s first official acts. This tradition, which began in 1981 under President Ronald Reagan, includes the signing of nominations, proclamations, or executive orders in the President’s Room at the Capitol.
The event underscores the longstanding tradition of peaceful transitions of power and diplomatic representation between nations.