S Jaishankar to attend Donald Trump's oath taking ceremony on January 20

The invitation for Jaishankar's attendance was extended by the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee. This visit is expected to further cement the diplomatic ties between the two nations as the incoming US administration begins its tenure.

In Short

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to attend Trump's swearing-in ceremony
• Ceremony on January 20, aims to strengthen India-US ties
• Jaishankar to meet new US administration and global leaders

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Donald Trump, who will assume office as the 47th President of the United States of America. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on January 20, 2025.

The invitation for Jaishankar’s attendance was extended by the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee. This visit is expected to further cement the diplomatic ties between the two nations as the incoming US administration begins its tenure.

Apart from attending the ceremony, the External Affairs Minister is slated to hold discussions with representatives of the new US administration. Additionally, the External Affairs Minister will engage with other international dignitaries who will also be present in Washington, DC, for the occasion.

The news was shared by India's Ministry of External Affairs via a post on X on Sunday (Jan 12).

The swearing-in of President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance is expected to herald a new phase in US domestic and foreign policy. India, as a key ally, will be closely watching the administration’s stance on issues like H1-B visa reforms, supply chain resilience, and the Indo-Pacific region.

The inauguration ceremony on January 20 also marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a national holiday in the United States.

FOREIGN DIGNITARIES TO ATTEND EVENT

The foreign dignitaries who are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony are Argentine President Javier Milei, Great Britain’s right-leaning Reform UK party chief Nigel Farage, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and a leader of a right-leaning French political party.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was invited to attend Trump’s swearing-in ceremony. However, passport troubles may keep him from traveling to the event.

Chinese President Xi Jinping was invited by Trump to attend inaugural festivities however he would send a high-level envoy to the inauguration.

WHAT TIME IS THE INAUGURATION?

The Swearing-In Ceremony will begin at 12.00 pm Eastern Time (10.30 pm Indian Standard Time) on January 20.

INAUGURATION DAY SCHEDULE

While the full schedule is yet to be announced by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC), the key events include:

• Swearing-In Ceremony
• President’s Room Signing Ceremony
• Inaugural Luncheon
• Review of the Troops
• Presidential Parade and Reception
• Inaugural Balls

WHERE TO WATCH THE CEREMONY

The event will be broadcast live on major news networks such as NBC, CNN, ABC, CBS, Fox News, and CSPAN, among others.

HOW TO ATTEND THE INAUGURATION?

Tickets for the inauguration are limited and can only be requested through members of Congress. According to the US government, tickets are free and grant access to the Capitol grounds, where the president and vice president will take their oaths of office.