No Flights, Freezing Cold: Why EAM Jaishankar Had to Travel 670 km by Road in the US — Inside a Rare Security Operation

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar had to travel around 670 km by road in the United States to meet United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, according to a fresh report released

by the US State Department. There was a “mission-defining challenge” during Jaishankar’s visit to New York in November last year amid the US government shutdown, said the US State Department, adding that it put in a "bold contingency plan” to ensure his protection and security. An article dated December 30, 2025 by Supervisory Special Agent Gabriel Macias said that when thousands of commercial flights were grounded due to the US government shutdown last year, Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) special agents from the Dignitary Protection Division (DP), New York Field Office (NYFO), and Buffalo Resident Office (BFRO) faced a “mission-defining challenge.” The article said that the Diplomatic Security Service had to adapt quickly amid restrictions due to the government shutdown to ensure his timely arrival and "uphold the bureau’s core mission: protection.” New Delhi is yet to confirm the details shared by the US State Department regarding Jaishankar's travel. Jaishankar, who was in Canada for the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting on November 11-12, 2025, had then travelled to New York, where he held a bilateral meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the UN headquarters. As the airlines were not operational across the US due to the government shutdown, the EAM had to travel by road. The US Security officials received Dr Jaishankar at the Lewiston–Queenston Bridge on the US-Canada border and began a seven-hour drive to Manhattan.Also Read- 'PM Modi Didn't Call Trump': US On Why There Was No Trade Deal With India

Given that flights were cancelled nationwide due to the shutdown but diplomatic meetings were imminent, “DSS crafted a bold contingency plan” that involved a seven-hour road journey, one that commenced when agents received Jaishankar at the Lewiston–Queenston Bridge in Niagara in upstate New York and executed a “416-mile interstate motorcade to Manhattan," it said. The article said that to execute the contingency plan, the mission mobilised 27 agents, including three from DP, who drove to Buffalo and New York to join BFRO and NYFO teams for a “rare long-distance” motorcade movement.

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It outlined that the journey began with BFRO agents coordinating with officials from the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers who protected Jaishankar while he was in Canada, and US Customs and Border Protection personnel at the international bridge between the US and Canada to expedite a smooth transition at the border. Agents “meticulously” planned routes through portions of upstate New York, “managed fatigue through structured driver rotations, and ensured seamless continuity of protection while maintaining the foreign minister’s comfort across the seven-hour journey.” “Despite freezing temperatures, limited visibility, and shutdown-related constraints, DSS agents executed with calm professionalism and unwavering focus,” it said. It further said that during the entire operation, a K9 "alerted on the foreign minister’s armoured vehicle. Agents quickly secured the area, coordinated with local explosive ordinance disposal technicians, and, after a thorough inspection, cleared the vehicle, which served as an example of the team’s poise and adherence to DSS standards under pressure.”(With PTI inputs)