Mon Feb 03 11:59:00 UTC 2025: ## Jaishankar Rebuts Gandhi’s Claim of Multiple US Trips to Secure Trump Inauguration Invite
**New Delhi:** External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar strongly refuted claims made by Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi that he was sent repeatedly to the US to secure an invitation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Donald Trump’s 2017 inauguration. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Jaishankar stated that his December 2024 visit to the US involved meetings with high-ranking Biden administration officials and Indian consuls general, with no discussion whatsoever regarding an invitation for the Prime Minister. He highlighted the established practice of India sending special envoys to such events, and that PM Modi typically does not attend them.
Jaishankar accused Gandhi of spreading falsehoods that damage India’s international image. He noted that Prime Minister Modi was present in Parliament when Gandhi made the allegations.
The BJP reacted strongly to Gandhi’s remarks. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized the Opposition leader for making unsubstantiated claims impacting India’s foreign policy, demanding proof for his assertions. Rijiju emphasized the seriousness of such statements regarding bilateral relations.
Gandhi’s comments, made during a parliamentary session, suggested that the frequent visits of the Foreign Minister demonstrated a flawed approach to US relations. He implied that a strong India would not require such actions to secure an invitation to the US President’s inauguration.
The controversy comes after a recent phone call between PM Modi and former President Trump, where Modi congratulated Trump on his second term and reaffirmed India’s commitment to a strong US-India partnership. Dr. Jaishankar himself represented India at the 2017 inauguration ceremony.
First Piper 