Modi govt invites Donald Trump to be Republic Day chief guest

The Narendra Modi government is eyeing a foreign policy coup by sending an invitation to US President Donald Trump to be the chief guest at next year's Republic Day parade and celebrations. While an official response from the United States is still awaited, the Trump administration is believed to be considering a favourable response. The invite, sent by India in April this year and followed up by several rounds of diplomatic engagement over the issue, is in line with the Modi govt's attempts to ensure the presence of international heavyweights on Republic Day. On account of his sheer unpredictability, Trump's presence in India, should he come, promises to be more dramatic than any other, including his predecessor Barack Obama.