India Extends Republic Day 2024 Invite To US President Joe Biden Amid Strengthening Diplomatic Ties

In a sign of deepening bilateral relations, US Ambassador Eric Garcetti revealed on Wednesday (20 September) that President Joe Biden has been formally invited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend India's Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on 26 January 2024.

The invitation to President Biden was extended by Prime Minister Modi during their recent bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

Earlier, it was reported that India is considering inviting all three leaders of the QUAD nations, namely President Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, to the Republic Day celebrations.

Extending an invitation to be the chief guest at India's Republic Day is a significant symbolic gesture. The Indian government traditionally conducts careful deliberation in choosing its chief guest, typically extending a formal invitation only after informally ascertaining the leader's availability.

India is also set to host the QUAD Summit next year, underlining the growing importance of the group in addressing regional security concerns, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, amidst China's assertive behavior.

President Biden's attendance at the Republic Day event will carry added significance as it precedes the 2024 US presidential election, and the State of the Union address by the President (which usually is in late January or early February every year) will be his final one before the election season commences.

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Albanese's schedule is likely to be occupied with his country's national day celebrations on 26 January, commemorating the establishment of the first permanent European settlement in Australia.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to be engaged in the Diet (parliament) session, which typically opens in late January.

If the plan to have all QUAD leaders attend the Republic Day celebrations materialises, it will send a robust signal, highlighting the united front of the four nations in addressing regional challenges, particularly those posed by China's assertive actions in the Indo-Pacific region.

The upcoming Republic Day event holds particular significance as it is the last one before the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for just a few months later.