Introduction

America's newly elected President Donald Trump is known for his unpredictable working style. But he created a big sensation when he decided to invite other world leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping to his swearing-in ceremony on January 20, 2025.

Unprecedented in US History

This is unprecedented in US history since 1874. Usually ambassadors and diplomats of foreign countries attend the swearing-in ceremony of the US President, but no foreign head of state has ever been invited to the event.

Inviting Xi Jinping is especially interesting in a situation when Trump had described China as the biggest threat to America. The invitation comes amid tensions over Taiwan and sharp words over ongoing sanctions and tariffs. Trump has threatened to impose more tariffs on Chinese goods, while Xi Jinping has also threatened to retaliate.

China's Reaction

So is the invitation to Xi meant to gauge China's reaction, or is it recognition that breaking away from China will not be easy, since China controls rare minerals and leads the world in industrialization, while the US has to import many of its needs, even toilet paper?

A direct war between the US and China would cause massive destruction since China appears to be ahead in some areas of military technology.

According to reports, Xi Jinping has turned down an invitation to attend Trump's inauguration, which is not surprising. Didn't Henry Kissinger say, "It is dangerous to be an enemy of the US, but deadly to be its friend"? So why would Xi accept this false friendship?

Taiwan Factor

Also, like other global powers, China is also adept at subterfuge. But Xi does not believe in pretense. He has directly warned Trump about Taiwan, saying that Taiwan's merger with mainland China is inevitable because it is part of China.

The question is which foreign heads of state has Trump invited or has the idea been dropped after Xi turned down the invitation? It is likely that NATO countries, G-7 leaders, and US allies will be invited. But what about non-NATO allies, especially India?

US-India Relations

The personal bond between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Donald Trump was evident during Trump's first term. Modi had set an example by raising the slogan "Abki Baar, Trump Sarkar" on US soil.

However, in 2024, PM Modi went to attend the Quad summit but did not meet Trump. Did Modi's foreign policy experts advise him to do so, thinking Trump was less likely to win?

There is now speculation whether the Indian Prime Minister will be invited to Trump's swearing-in ceremony. BJP leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy has quipped that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has been sent to secure an invitation for Modi from Trump at the last minute.

US-India relations are not at a high level at the moment. Trump has talked about increasing tariffs on India. Apart from this, US social media platforms and other entities interfered in Indian elections.

Trump has appointed an Indo-American lawyer Harmeet Dhillon as Assistant Attorney General, who is considered pro-Khalistan.

The Bottom Line

Now the question is whether PM Modi will attend Trump's swearing-in ceremony or not. This will be an important signal for India-US relations.