Donald Trump turns down India’s Republic Day invite

Even as India and US relationship is currently navigating choppy waters over sanctions for buying Iran oil and Modi government’s decision to buy the Russian S-400 long-range missile system, a report on Sunday claimed that US President Donald Trump has turned down the invitation to be chief guest at the upcoming Republic Day Parade. 

The Trump administration has claimed that with the State of the Union address in January, his overcrowded agenda is the reason he can’t accept the invite. However, though the foreign ministry has yet to issue a statement, it is being said that this is a low-point for the relationship in light of the geopolitical situation. 

In August, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders had confirmed Trump had received an invite to visit India, but said no decision had been taken as yet.