On Wednesday, 20 January, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States, while Kamala Harris took oath as the Vice President in a historic ceremony to take the leadership of a nation ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic and riven by deep political hostility.
As Biden addressed the nation for the first time as President, PM Narendra Modi congratulated him and tweeted, “We stand united and resilient in addressing common challenges.”
Departing from tradition, former President Donald Trump left the White House with former First Lady Melania Trump, skipping the inauguration of his successor.
- On the eve of his inauguration, Biden and his deputy Kamala Harris led a national mourning service in Washington to pay tribute to those who lost their lives due to COVID-19
- A country deeply divided following an unprecedented mob attack on the US Capitol and the threat of coronavirus pandemic are the two greatest and immediate challenges facing the Biden Administration
- Former President Trump arrives in Florida following a send-off ceremony at Joint Base Andrews
- Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks are among Hollywood A-listers who performed at the inauguration ceremony
- Joe Biden’s maiden address to the nation as their President has been penned by Indian-American Vinay Reddy
- Joe Biden and Dr Jill Biden enter the White House as President and First Lady for the first time
- Vice President Harris and Second Gentleman Emhoff enter the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
- On his first day in the Oval Office, President Biden signs 15 executive actions and two agency actions.
Biden's First Foreign Leader Call Will Be To Justin Trudeau: White House
President Joe Biden's first call to a foreign leader will be to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Wednesday -- with the fate of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline on the agenda.
"His first foreign leader call will be on Friday with Prime Minister Trudeau," Psaki told reporters at her first White House briefing.
India's Ambassador to US Attends Biden's Inauguration Ceremony
India's Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu attended the historic inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the Capitol.
"We look forward to working with President Biden's administration in deepening our comprehensive global strategic partnership in a range of areas," Sandhu said after the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday.
Inaugural Festivities Come to a Close With Fireworks
With Katy Perry singing in the background.
Former Presidents Rally In Support of President Biden
In one frame stood three of America's former presidents - Clinton, Bush and Obama - in support of President Biden.
"Mr. President, I'm pulling for your success. Your success is our country's success. God bless you", said former President Bush.
"I'm glad you're there. And I wish you well," Clinton said in his message to Biden. "You have spoken for us today. Now you will lead for us. And we're ready to March with you. Good luck, God bless you," Clinton said.
"The American people are strong, there're tough, they can get through hardship and there's no problem they cannot solve, when we are working together," Obama said. "...I think all of us discovered that we are at our best when we are all moving in the same direction."