S Jaishankar to attend Donald Trump's swearing-in ceremony on January 20

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar will represent India at US President-elect Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony scheduled to take place on January 20, 2025, India Today reported.

The Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee reportedly extended the invitation for Jaishankar’s presence at the ceremony which will mark Trump assuming the office to become the 47th President of the United States of America.

Jaishankar’s visit is reported to be strengthening the diplomatic ties between the two nations as the External Affairs Minister is to hold discussions with top officials of new US administration.

Alongside, the External Affairs Minister will interact with other international dignitaries attending the ceremony in Washington, DC.

Donald Trump’s return to White House is taking place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a national holiday in the United States.

Trump already made it clear in December that he will impose reciprocal tariffs if India continues to levy high taxes on American goods.

Calling out India’s tariffs such as what he said 100 percent tax on certain US products, Trump warned India of a ‘tit-for-tat’ policy, according to Business Standard.

‘I’ve always said, if they tax us, we tax them the same amount,’ Trump was quoted as saying.

It is reported that the new US administration is likely be take a tougher stance on India and other nations including Brazil over tax policy.

The foreign dignitaries expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony include Argentine President Javier Milei, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and UK’s Reform UK party chief Nigel Farage among others.

Although invited to the ceremony, Chinese President Xi Jinping will send a top envoy to represent him at the event.