Republic Day: Donald Trump rejects India's invitation

New Delhi : The United States of America President Donald Trump turned down India's invitation to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations.

India had sent an invitation in the August this year, acknowledged by White House press secretary Sarah Sanders. "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.

American Embassy in India has said that no confirmation on Donald Trump's travel plan has been received till date; only White House has an authority to make a comment on that.

Every year, India invites foreign leaders to be a part of its 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.

In 2017, leaders from the 10 ASEAN countries had arrived in New Delhi to attend the celebrations.