Washington D.C: On Monday, January 20, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar represented India at the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, marking the beginning of his second term. The ceremony, held at the US Capitol building’s Rotunda, witnessed a notable gesture of camaraderie between the two nations, as Jaishankar was seated in the very first row.
The prominent placement was widely viewed as a symbolic acknowledgment of the growing strategic and diplomatic ties between India and the United States. Jaishankar shared the front row with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, while other key global figures, including Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, were seated two rows behind. All three countries, along with the US, are members of the Quad, a grouping aimed at fostering stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Post the ceremony, Jaishankar expressed his thoughts on the historic occasion via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), reflecting on the evolution of Indo-US relations. The relationship, historically marked by Cold War-era divides, has significantly improved over the decades. The 2008 civil nuclear agreement, signed under former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, marked a turning point, paving the way for a robust partnership in trade, defense, and technology.
Jaishankar’s prominent presence at such a pivotal event underscores the mutual commitment to deepening collaboration and shared values as the Indo-US partnership continues to flourish in an evolving global landscape.