External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is representing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his Special Envoy at Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States in Washington, D.C., today. Sources reveal that Jaishankar is carrying a personal letter from PM Modi addressed to President Trump.
As per established protocol, India often delegates Special Envoys of the Prime Minister to attend such inaugural events of Heads of State and Government. For instance, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh participated in the swearing-in ceremony of Nigeria’s President in May 2023, while then-Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju attended the inauguration of the Maldives President in November 2023. In July 2024, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari represented India at the swearing-in of Iran’s President.
Last year, Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita attended the inaugurations of the Presidents of both Indonesia and Mexico. Similarly, in June 2022, the then Minister for External Affairs, Raj Kumar Ranjan Singh, attended the swearing-in of the President of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, large crowds have gathered outside the US Capitol Rotunda, where the ceremonial event will take place. Donald Trump, who is embarking on his second term as US President, will be officially sworn in alongside Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. The inauguration marks two weeks since Trump’s electoral college victory was certified by the US Congress.
The ceremony will commence with Trump’s visit to St. John’s Church for a prayer service, followed by a stop at 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 J.D. Vance will take his oath of office before Trump is sworn in. Following the swearing-in, President Trump will deliver his inaugural remarks. A farewell ceremony for Joe and Jill Biden, as well as Kamala Harris and her husband, will then take place.
The inauguration will conclude with Trump and Vance participating in the signing ceremony—a tradition where the new President, along with congressional members and aides, signs official documents, such as nominations or executive orders, in the President’s Room near the Senate Chamber. This tradition, initiated by former President Ronald Reagan in 1981, is one of the first official acts of the new US President. (ANI)