OCTOBER 28, 2018
NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump has reportedly declined India’s invitation to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. In early August, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders had confirmed Mr Trump received an invitation to visit India. “I know that the invitation has been extended, but I do not believe that a final decision has been made,” Ms Sanders told reporters then.
The foreign ministry has not given a statement. The American embassy in Delhi said only the White House can talk on the President’s travel plans.
Every year, India invites world leaders to attend the Republic Day celebrations. In 2015, the then US President Barack Obama attended it as the chief guest, which was his second visit to India as US president.
This year, leaders from 10 ASEAN countries came to New Delhi to participate in the celebrations.
