Congratulations my dear friend President @realDonaldTrump on your historic inauguration as the 47th President of the United States! I look forward to working closely together once again, to benefit both our countries, and to shape a better future for the world. Best wishes for a…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2025
Follow live updates from Trump’s inauguration here
Prime Minister Modi has shared strong relations with both former President Joe Biden and President Trump. But, at a time when President Trump assumes charge for the second time, various challenges are casting their shadow over India-US relations. An indictment related to an alleged assassination bid on a Sikh separatist, another involving Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, and Trump’s threat to impose high tariffs on Indian imports.
In 2023, the Biden administration charged Indian national Nikhil Gupta in a foiled plot to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. In October 2024, former Indian government employee Vikash Yadav was charged by US authorities for his alleged role in the plot.
In November 2024, the US Securities and Exchange Commission charged billionaire Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani, along with Cyril Cabanes, an executive of Azure Power Global Ltd., in connection with an alleged $250 million bribery scheme. US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York also unsealed criminal charges against Gautam and Sagar Adani and others.
However, the Biden administration had said that it expects the relationship between the two nations to remain strong even after the handover. “We are quite confident that we’ll be handing the bilateral relationship off to the incoming Trump team at its strongest possible apex, with key support from stakeholders in the industry, in technology, in finance and defence,” said Kurt Campbell, Deputy Secretary of State.
Former US Ambassador to India
Kenneth Juster had also expressed optimism about the enduring strength of the India-US relationship. Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Juster said, “The India-US relationship is very strong. Like any two countries, there will be issues that arise from time to time.” He lauded the breadth of cooperation, which spans defence, trade, energy, technology, education, and counterterrorism.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar represented India at the swearing-in ceremony of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
A great honour to represent India at the inauguration ceremony of @POTUS President Donald J Trump and @VP Vice President JD Vance in Washington DC today.
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— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 20, 2025
On January 20, Donald Trump officially returned to the White House, taking the oath of office during a ceremony held at the US Capitol Arena in Washington, DC. Trump swore on two Bibles – one gifted to him by his mother and the other, the iconic Lincoln Bible, which he used during his first inauguration in 2017. Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts administered the oath as Trump recited the 35-word presidential pledge for the second time in his political career.
“I, Donald John Trump, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the United States. So help me God,” Trump said as he officially assumed the presidency.
JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, took the oath as the 50th vice president of the United States. The oath was administered by supreme court justice Brett Kavanaugh. Vance, joined by his wife Usha Vance, took the solemn pledge in the Rotunda of the US Capitol.
“I, James David Vance, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God,” Vance said as he became the vice president of the United States.
The ceremony marked the beginning of a new chapter for the US, with Trump and Vance ready to tackle the challenges ahead for the nation.
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