A surprising turn of events, US President Joe Biden has decided to skip the Republic Day celebrations in India, thereby putting the Quad Summit, which was slated for January, on shaky grounds. This unexpected development comes after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm invitation to Biden during their bilateral meeting on September 8, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, comprises India, Australia, Japan, and the United States, and its leaders' summit was initially planned for January 27. However, with Biden's absence now looming, sources suggest that the summit may be rescheduled for later in 2024, as the current dates reportedly do not align with all Quad partners.
The question on everyone's mind is: Why is Biden choosing to forego the trip to India, especially for such a significant event?
The answer lies in the recent strain in diplomatic ties between the United States and India. The friction began when Washington accused New Delhi of orchestrating an attempt to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on US soil. The US Justice Department asserted that Nikhil Gupta, an Indian man arrested by Czech authorities in June, was allegedly behind the plot to kill Pannun.
This accusation follows a similar claim made by Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who implicated India in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The ripple effect of these allegations has cast a shadow over the relationship between the US and India, creating an atmosphere of mistrust.
The frosty relations over the Pannun incident are widely believed to be a key factor in Biden's decision to steer clear of New Delhi. However, the White House is expected to cite the State of the Union address, a customary January tradition for US presidents, as the reason for Biden's absence.
The last US president to grace the Republic Day celebrations in India was Barack Obama in 2015. With Biden opting out, speculation is rife regarding the alternative chief guest. Some sources suggest that the invitation may be extended to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida or Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the other two Quad partners.
As the drama unfolds, the absence of the US President not only dampens the Republic Day celebrations but also adds a layer of uncertainty to the Quad Summit. The geopolitical implications of these events are sure to reverberate in the coming months, reshaping the dynamics of international relations. Only time will tell how this unexpected turn impacts the Quad partnership and the broader diplomatic landscape.
.png)
.png)
0 Comments