Jaishankar Seated In Front Row At Donald Trump Swearing-In, What Does It Mean For India?

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected US President Donald Trump on Monday. The presence of S Jaishankar follows India's usual practice of sending special envoys like the external affairs minister, in the ceremonies of new heads of state and government.

"Privileged to represent India as External Affairs Minister and Special Envoy of PM at the Swearing-In Ceremony of the 47th President of the United States of America today in Washington DC," Jaishankar said on X. S Jaishankar also handed over a letter to President Trump as sent by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi . 

Privileged to represent 🇮🇳 as External Affairs Minister and Special Envoy of PM at the Swearing-In Ceremony of the 47th President of the United States of America today in Washington DC. 

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

🇮🇳 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ktod8SdbpI

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar)

 In his inaugural speech, he pledged to make the USA great again by securing its borders and stopping illegal migrants and drugs.

S Jaishankar was seated in the front row alongside Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa. While the Japanese and Australian Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Penny Wong respectively, sat two rows behind him. The front-row presence of S Jaishankar also signifies a positive change in the diplomatic ties between both countries.

Last Monday, in a ceremony graced by some of the biggest and most powerful names including Elon Musk , Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai, and others, Donald Trump took oath as the 47th President of the USA.

In his speech, he vowed to make the USA great again by securing its borders and stopping illegal migrants and drugs. ''The Golden Age of America begins right now. From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world.

We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer during every single day of the Trump administration. I will, very simply, put America first." he said in his inauguration speech.

With Trump's return to white House, New Delhi will be closely watching his policy direction and administrative action.