By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Wednesday raised a champagne toast to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the ‘Freedom 250’ reception at the Jio World Convention Centre at Bandra-Kurla Complex without par taking it has raised eyebrows.
According to an official present at the event, Jaishankar set the champagne flute down without sipping at all.
The usual protocol etiquette is to raise the champagne flute with everyone else and then either touch it to the lips or use a substitute like water, soda or fruit juice instead of champagne to make the toast.
The official referred to the viral video of the episode, said, “Jaishankar was a career diplomat before becoming External Affairs Minister. So, it is highly unlikely that he was unaware of official protocol etiquette.”
“My assumption is that it was a filled up champagne flute. If it was water, there was no reason why he would not have brought the champagne flute to his lips. It may be perceived as rude or a gaffe. Generally, such a thing is not done, especially since the occasion was a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the declaration of independence of the United States on July, 4, 1776, where the US national flag was ceremoniously carried. Such gaffes could give ammunition to those who do not like Indo-US ties,” the official said.
Jaishankar and Rubio proceeded to raise a champagne toast. Rubio takes a sip but Jaishankar simply places the champagne flute down on the table, without even touching the champagne flute to his lips.
US Secretary of State Rubio stated in his address at the ‘Freedom 250’ reception at the Jio World Convention Centre in Bandra-Kurla Complex that there is an extraordinary alignment between India and the US on the core issues which matter.
“There will be times and points of disagreement, but on the core issues that define the national interest of both India and the United States, the alignment between our countries is extraordinary,” he said.
Rubio called India a “powerful, influential and advanced” country and a “strong geopolitical partner” for the US. Both countries share many commonalities, including the values of upholding individual dignity, democratic principles and the rule of law.
He cited the need to have a “free and open” Indo-Pacific where no nation can claim dominance or ownership of international shipping as among the core issues of alignment.
Rubio said that India and the US are “very, very close” to signing a bilateral trade deal, with only a few points to be ironed out.
