External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar represented India at the inauguration ceremony of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States, held at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Monday. Jaishankar, attending as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Special Envoy, was seated in the front row among prominent global dignitaries.
Jaishankar carried a personal letter from PM Modi to President Trump, underscoring the importance of India-U.S. ties. Speaking on the occasion, Jaishankar expressed his honor at representing India, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “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.”
Key Moments from the Inauguration
The ceremony, conducted indoors due to weather concerns, saw U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts administer the oath of office to Donald Trump. JD Vance, a key Trump ally, was sworn in earlier as the 50th Vice President of the United States.
In his inaugural address, Trump declared the beginning of what he called a “golden age” for America. “Today marks Liberation Day for the nation,” he proclaimed, emphasizing his administration’s vision for economic and social revival.
Executive Orders and Key Decisions
Soon after taking the oath, Trump signed a series of executive orders, signaling a dramatic shift in policy direction:
- Revocation of Biden-era Decisions: Trump annulled 78 executive actions from the Biden administration.
- Paris Climate Treaty Exit: The U.S. officially withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement, reigniting debates over climate policy.
- WHO Withdrawal: An order was issued to begin the process of exiting the World Health Organization.
- Pardons for Capitol Riot Defendants: Trump pardoned 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots.
- TikTok Extension: The president granted the short-form video platform TikTok a 75-day operating extension in the U.S.
India-U.S. Ties in Focus
Jaishankar’s prominent seating at the event highlighted the strategic importance of India-U.S. relations under Trump’s administration. According to Hindustan Times sources, India routinely sends high-level envoys to attend the swearing-in ceremonies of foreign leaders as a gesture of goodwill and diplomacy.
President Trump’s return to the White House is expected to bring renewed focus on bilateral trade, defense cooperation, and Indo-Pacific strategies, areas where India and the U.S. have increasingly collaborated in recent years.