Trump declines invitation to India's Republic Day celebrations

Relations between New Delhi and Washington are particularly strained


News Desk October 29, 2018
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. PHOTO: FILE

Unites States President Donald Trump declined India's invitation to be the guest of honor at the country's Republic Day parade, reported India Today.

FM exposes India as state sponsor of terror

The refusal comes at a time when relations between New Delhi and Washington are particularly strained. The US had warned India against signing any S-400 missile system deal with Russia which was inked earlier this month when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India.

India also continues to import oil from Iran despite the Trump administration's threat of sanctions.

Republic Day commemorates the day India's constitution came into effect in 1950.

The Trump administration said the US President has declined because he has to deliver his state of the union address on the same day. However, former President Barrack Obama postponed the SOTU address due to a clash between the dates and attended India's Republic Day parade in 2015.

Book launch: India termed core problem in South Asia

India will have to find another leader to be the chief guest but it is unlikely anyone will accept after Trump's refusal.

In 2016 the parade was attended by French President Francois Hollande and in 2014 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the chief guest at the celebrations.

This article originally appeared in India Today.

 

 

 

COMMENTS (2)

RK Singh | 5 years ago | Reply Modi has angered Trump by buying Russian missiles and Iran's crude oil. At least he is firm on his principles.
powayman | 5 years ago | Reply Like Putin - Modi is going to find out the hard way that he's no longer dealing with Obama.
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ