8 hours ago
Last Updated:January 23, 2025, 11:53 IST
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the swearing-in ceremony of US President Donald Trump and had Prime Minister Narendra Modi's letter for the president
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attends Donald Trump's swearing-in ceremony. (Courtesy: X/@DrSJaishankar)
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar decided to shoot another one-liner when he was questioned about getting a front-row seat at the inauguration ceremony of Donald Trump who took oath as United States’ 47th President on January 20.
Commenting on his front-row seat in a press conference in Washington DC on Thursday, Jaishankar said, “Special Envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is naturally treated very well."
Jaishankar was representing India at Trump’s swearing-in ceremony after receiving an invitation from the US government. He was carrying a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for newly-appointed President Trump.
He said that the gesture reflected the eagerness of the Trump administration to strengthen India-US ties.
“I would say, one, it was very clear that the Trump administration was keen to have India present at the inaugural itself, and they’re clearly prioritising the bilateral relationship," said Jaishankar.
“Clearly there is an interest in taking the relationship forward. The Prime Minister had a very early phone call with President Trump, and I had come last month and made the initial contact with the NSA. So, it should give you a direction in which the relationship is going," he said.
‘Very Strong’ Trust Between India And US: Jaishankar
The foreign minister said that the Trump administration is ready to build on the foundation they had created during their last tenure and added that there is a “very strong degree of trust" and “high level of convergence of interests" between India and the United States.
“Between us and the Trump administration, we approach the world both with a clear sense of our national interest belief," he said.
Speaking on the issue of delays in US visas, Jaishankar said, “Ultimately, those visa delays do impact business, they do affect tourism. They constrain the people-to-people interactions, which is the foundation of our relationship."
He added that the two countries would like to see the mutual trust between them grow into an actual partnership.
“We need to be bolder, we need to be bigger, we need to be more ambitious," said the minister, and added that there is “a lot of good that we can do".
During his US visit, Jaishankar also participated in the first Quad ministerial meeting in Trump’s regime and held talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
Location :Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:January 23, 2025, 11:53 IST
News india 'PM Modi's Special Envoy Is Treated...': Jaishankar On His Front Row Seat At Trump's Swearing-In
