Donald Trump inauguration: Jaishankar carries PM Modi’s letter for Trump ahead of swearing-in ceremony

NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar is carrying a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for US President-elect Donald Trump, news agencies reported quoting sources.

Jaishankar is representing PM Modi as his special envoy at Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony in Washington DC.

Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, marking his return to power after a four-year gap. This historic moment sees Trump becoming only the second US president, after Grover Cleveland, to regain the presidency following an electoral defeat.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh attended the swearing-in ceremony of the president of Nigeria in May 2023 while then Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju attended the swearing-in ceremony of Maldivian president in November 2023, the sources said citing past precedents.

Road transport minister Nitin Gadkari attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Iranian president in July last year and MoS for external affairs Pabitra Margherita attended the oath taking ceremony of president of Indonesia and president of Mexico in October 2024, the sources said.

In June 2022, the then MoS for external affairs Raj Kumar Ranjan Singh attended the swearing-in ceremony of the president of Philippines, they added.

Also read: Donald Trump inauguration ceremony: Know its date, time, and how to watch inauguration ceremony live online

The inauguration will begin at noon ET (10:30 PM IST) at the US Capitol, adhering to the 20th Amendment of the Constitution. Vice President-elect JD Vance will first take the oath of office, administered by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Chief Justice John Roberts will then administer Trump’s presidential oath, officially ushering in his second term.

Trump’s inaugural address, expected to outline his vision for his return to leadership, will conclude the ceremony, which is set to captivate global attention.