US President Joe Biden is unlikely to visit India next month as the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations, according to sources familiar with the matter. The decision not to travel to India in January has also postponed the anticipated summit of the Quad, a coalition of four nations, including India, the US, Japan, and Australia, expected to occur next month.
In September, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited President Biden as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day celebrations on January 26. However, there has yet to be an official comment from India regarding the status of this invitation.
Sources have revealed that the Quad summit, initially speculated to coincide with President Biden’s potential visit around January 27, will not happen in January. Instead, discussions are underway to reschedule the summit for later 2024.
“We are looking for revised dates as the dates currently under consideration do not work with all the Quad partners,” stated a source, emphasizing the importance of finding suitable dates that accommodate the schedules of all Quad member nations.
The Quad, established to strengthen regional security and cooperation, includes India, the US, Japan, and Australia. The coalition has become a platform for addressing shared challenges and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
While the cancellation of President Biden’s visit for the Republic Day celebrations comes as a development, there has been notable engagement between the US and India in recent months. Senior US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, Principal Deputy NSA Jonathan Finer, and FBI Director Christopher Wray, have visited India, underscoring the robust diplomatic ties and strategic partnership between the two nations.
The rescheduling of the Quad summit and the absence of President Biden at the Republic Day celebrations indicate the dynamic nature of international relations, with adjustments being made to accommodate the schedules and priorities of participating nations.