In a significant update, sources reveal that US President Joe Biden is unlikely to travel to India in January to participate in the Republic Day celebrations. The Indian side is now exploring revised dates for the planned Quad Summit, initially scheduled for next month.
The decision comes amidst several factors, including President Biden’s focus on re-election, upcoming State of the Union address, and ongoing geopolitical crises like the Israel-Hamas conflict. With this development, India is compelled to seek a new chief guest for the Republic Day event, just over six weeks away.
While the Indian government has not officially confirmed Biden’s invitation for Republic Day, US Ambassador Eric Garcetti mentioned the invitation extended during a bilateral meeting at the G20 Summit in September.
The Quad Summit, originally contemplated for January 27, is now proposed for later in 2024. The current dates are deemed inconvenient for all Quad partners, necessitating a rescheduling effort. Australia and Japan, anticipating Biden’s visit, had agreed to participate in the summit on January 27.
This shift in plans is a critical development in diplomatic engagements, impacting both Republic Day celebrations and the strategic Quad Summit.
