India-US protocol improve: At Trump’s inauguration, EAM Jaishankar will get entrance row seat

The India-US ties are anticipated to be stronger beneath newly sworn-in President Donald Trump and this was indicated at his inauguration within the White Home on Monday, the place Exterior Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, who attended the occasion as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s particular envoy, was supplied a seat within the entrance row, alongside Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa.

This marked a big improve in official protocol.

Whereas Jaishankar was seated within the entrance row at Trump’s inaugural ceremony on the Capitol Rotunda, Japanese International Minister Takeshi Iwaya was seated two rows behind.

Jaishankar carried a letter from PM Modi for the forty seventh US President. In a put up on X, the EAM stated that he was “privileged” to signify India at Trump’s oath taking ceremony.

“Privileged to signify as exterior affairs minister and particular envoy of the PM on the swearing-in ceremony of the forty seventh President of the US of America as we speak in Washington DC,” he wrote.

Privileged to signify 🇮🇳 as Exterior Affairs Minister and Particular Envoy of PM on the Swearing-In Ceremony of the forty seventh President of the US of America as we speak in Washington DC.

Attended the Inauguration Day Prayer Service at St John’s Church this morning.

🇮🇳 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ktod8SdbpI

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 20, 2025

PM Modi additionally shared a put up on X congratulating Trump and saying that he seemed ahead to working with him.

“Congratulations my expensive buddy President Donald Trump in your historic inauguration because the forty seventh President of the US! I sit up for working carefully collectively as soon as once more, to profit each our international locations, and to form a greater future for the world. Finest needs for a profitable time period forward!” PM Modi stated.

Congratulations my expensive buddy President @realDonaldTrump in your historic inauguration because the forty seventh President of the US! I sit up for working carefully collectively as soon as once more, to profit each our international locations, and to form a greater future for the world. Finest needs for a…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2025

EAM Jaishankar additionally posted a photograph with fellow international ministers from Australia and Japan on the US Capitol and mentioned bilateral points and people associated to Quad.

Together with fellow International Ministers on the US Capitol for the inauguration ceremony. pic.twitter.com/DlBmj13fJX

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 20, 2025

In one of many footage shared by Jaishankar, he might be seen speaking to Indian origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who abruptly stop from the Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE) barely hours after Trump took workplace on Monday.

Jaishankar had additionally participated within the Inauguration Day Prayer Service at St John’s Church, a standard occasion held earlier than the presidential inauguration.

Trump took the oath of workplace administered by Chief Justice John Roberts, utilizing each a household Bible and President Abraham Lincoln’s Bible. Vice President JD Vance was sworn in earlier by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, holding a household heirloom Bible.

With inputs from companies