New Delhi, November 10: After President of United States Donald Trump turned down India’s invitation to be the chief guest at the 70th Republic Day celebrations in January, there are reports that Indian may invite someone from Africa. According to a report by Hindustan Times, India is more likely to invite South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to the ceremony. The report further added saying that the announcement will probably be made shortly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Trump had said that he would not attend India’s Republic Day celebrations due to prior commitments. It is likely, that by now, India may have finalized the new chief guest for the Republic day celebrations. "President Trump was honoured by Prime Minister Modi's invitation for him to be the chief guest of India's Republic Day on January 26, 2019, but is unable to participate due to scheduling constraints," a White House spokesperson told PTI on Monday. Donald Trump Will Not Attend India's Republic Day 2019 Celebrations Due to 'Scheduling Constraints', Confirms White House.

Every year, India invites world leaders to attend its Republic Day celebrations. Earlier, former US president Barack Obama had also attended the Republic Day celebrations in 2015 as the chief guest. Meanwhile, in 2016, the then French president Francois Hollande was the chief guest while Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the chief guest at the celebrations in 2014. Apart from these leaders, Nicolas Sarkozy, Vladimir Putin, Nelson Mandela, John Major, Mohammed Khatami and Jacques Chirac were the others who attended the Republic Day celebrations in India. Donald Trump Turns Down PM Narendra Modi's Invite! US President Will Not Attend India's Republic Day 2019 Celebrations, Here is Why. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his talks in Washington last year, had invited President Trump for a bilateral visit to India. However, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders had, in July, said that Trump received an invitation to visit India, but no decision was taken then.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 10, 2018 06:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).