By Birendra P Mishra ( currently associated with National Campaign for Democracy, Nepal.)
Prime Minster Narendra Modi of India had started his first stint as PM uniquely in 2014 by inviting heads of state and government of SAARC nations. The swearing in ceremony was no special occasion to celebrate unusually, as it was just a change of power from UDA led by the Congress party to the NDA led by his BJP just after a gap of ten years.
Similarly, President-elect Donald Trump, who seems to surpass the regional limitation by PM Modi’s invitation, decided on December 13 2024 to reach world-wide by inviting Chinese President Xi Jinping and other world leaders to his inauguration on January 20, 2025. Associated Press has classified the news as ‘an unorthodox move that would fold US allies and adversaries into a very American political tradition’. Trump has now surprised the world and has also enchanted his republican voters by doing such wonders It is not known how many world leaders have been invited and who are they?. Does his list include Kim Jong Un of North Korea, his powerful sister, President Putin and PM Narendra etc.? Of course, it will be known in course of time.
With regard to his invitations to foreign dignitaries an important question raised as to how did the idea of inviting President Xi and other world leaders crop up in his mind? Did he take a leaf out of Modi’s book on his oath-taking ceremony for which he invited thee SAARC leaders, who accepted his invitation and participated in the function showing their humility by their graceful presence..
The visits of the SAARC leaders had definitely some positive and negative points. Positively, it was a kind of mini Delhi SAARC Summit as all its leaders had assembled there to interact with the new leader of India. No doubt, it had provided an opportunity for all leaders to know him personally. Modi might have intended to have person-to-person contact with each leader and also have interest in acquainting himself with the bilateral problems, a member country had with India. Modi did not know the SAARC leaders personally well so far, as he was confined to his state of Gujarat alone through out his political career, he would have availed the opportunity to know them directly. Perhaps, he might have thought of showing the SAARC leaders as to how in a democracy, pluralism and unity in diversity could coexist, how Indian leaders could wear different dresses and speak in different languages on formal occasions too, as there was no regimentation regarding dresses and languages.
Negatively, he seemed to have failed to distinguish between domestic and external contexts of the event. The swearing in ceremony might have been held to herald the victory of his party, which might not have been foreseen. As a matter of fact it was just a regaining of power, which his party had lost unexpectedly in 2004 election and had failed to recover it even in 2009 election. Perhaps, this was the reason to celebrate the occasion with such grandeur.
Secondly, it seemed to overlook the position of most of the countries, which had constrained bilateral relations with India. Some countries might have had to crack a hard nut before taking a final decision to accept the invitation. It might have put those countries in a fix to accept or reject the invitation out rightly If it was accepted, it looked like just following the order; if rejected, it might have invited bitterness in the bilateral relations. Moreover, to invite heads of state and government at a swearing ceremony and attending the ceremony were really too impractical to be practised. The presence of all leaders cannot be taken a regular phenomenon. It was proved by the fat that it was partially continued in 2019 during his second term , as Afghanistan and Pakistan were left out and BIMSTEC nations and two other leaders were included ignoring SAARC. In 2024, however, this practice, too, could not be continued, as SAARC remained a hostage of India-Pakistan relations since 2016.
In contrast, most probably, the US allies, and other friendly countries like Japan, Australia and Singapore would be invited. However, this invitation seems to be a different from that of India, as Trump is well known to them who would be invited. Moreover, during his election campaign and after his victory, he has clearly outlined his policies both national and international. It was easy for Trump to invite others but it might not be so easy for the invitees to accept it. It is difficult to predict whether President Xi may accept it gladly or reject it straightway or on any pretension, as he leads the country, which is the second largest economy of the world and a growing super power against the US being No.1. These two nations have conflicting interests in Trade and in international politics. He can accept the invitation showing his magnanimity if he finds that Trump is in new incarnation discarding his previous confrontational attitude. If Trump assures him of his reconciliatory mood, Xi may come to attend the ceremony, as may not come to America just to have a dinner with him. The world would be watching his visit with curiosity and hope it to be a meaningful one in the present global conflicts putting the world at the door of the third WW. It is hoped that in the year 2005 the world tension would be reduced considerably by the visits of world leaders to the US to meet the President-elect.
