Jinping was invited to Trump's swearing-in ceremony, why not PM Modi?
On January 20, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the President of the United States for the second time. Trump has invited many global leaders to attend his swearing-in ceremony, including Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, the name of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not on this list, which has intensified the discussion in political and diplomatic circles.
In September last year, when Donald Trump and Kamala Harris were face to face in the US presidential race, Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. At that time, Trump had expressed his desire to meet Prime Minister Modi in a press conference. Trump believed that a high-profile meeting with Modi would strengthen his electoral image.
Global leaders like Argentine President Javier Milley, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were either supporting Trump or meeting him. A meeting with Modi would have sent a big message to Trump supporters and the general American public.
When Trump expressed a desire to meet Modi, Indian diplomats were faced with a difficult question. Trump's apparent electoral lead during the 'Howdy Modi' event in 2019 was seen as a diplomatic blunder. The Indian foreign ministry decided that it would be in India's long-term interest to maintain distance from the US presidential candidate.
If Modi had met Trump and Kamala Harris had won the election, it could have had a negative impact on India-US relations. This was the reason why Modi did not meet Trump.
Trump's displeasure and invitation to swearing-in
Trump was unhappy that a meeting with Modi could have given him electoral advantage, but India refrained from it. However, Trump won the election and now he is going to take oath as President again. Trump has invited mostly those leaders for the swearing-in ceremony who are ideologically close to him or who have openly supported him.
Trump specifically invited President Xi Jinping in view of the deteriorating relations with China, although Jinping has decided to send one of his senior representatives.
Question of Foreign Minister jaishankar's visit and invitation
Amid speculation that PM Modi would not be invited, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited the US in late December. He met the Trump administration's transition team and other top officials. The Indian government clarified that the visit was to strengthen relations between the two countries.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said – The purpose of the Foreign Minister's visit to Washington DC was to review the progress made in the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership in the last few years.
According to top government sources, no one from India has ever attended the swearing-in ceremony of the President. Our aim is to maintain equal relations with both parties of America—Democrats and Republicans.
India's balanced approach
India has always maintained that its relations with the US are not limited to one political party. Though the relations between Trump and Modi may have been good, India decided to maintain its diplomatic balance.
What is the way forward?
PM Modi's absence from the swearing-in ceremony will not have any long-term impact. India-US relations will remain strong, whether Trump is in the White House or someone else. However, this incident is an indication that India views its foreign policy from a global and long-term perspective.