Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited US President Joe Biden as the Chief Guest for the next year’s Republic Day celebrations, latest reports say. According to news agency ANI, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said that the Indian PM had invited Biden when the two leaders met for the bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Delhi G20 summit earlier this month. Garcetti made the statement during an event at Ananta Centre.
It should be noted that India is reportedly planning to invite all the QUAD leaders for the Republic Day parade next year. No official statement has been made so far by the Modi government. The official invitation will be sent once the leader confirms his availability as the US will be heading for elections by the end of 2024.
However, all the three countries, US, Australia and Japan would be occupied with prior arrangements as the United States will be heading for Presidential elections by the end of 2024. While Japan usually has its Parliamentary opening session in the last week of January and the Prime Minister might be attending the first weeks of the Budget session which is scheduled for January 23.
On the other hand, Australia is also preparing for its national day on January 26. This is the day to honour the establishment of the first permanent European settlement on the island continents.
The Quad Summit is crucial for India as next year India will be hosting the Summit. All three countries were also part of the G20 Summit 2023 that took place in New Delhi and it marks a new milestone of their friendship. The 2024 Republic Day is a symbolic day that marks the 75 years of establishment of Indian Constitution and greeting three global powers will be a significant turning point for India.