New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to invite leaders from several neighboring countries, including Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, to his swearing-in ceremony this weekend, according to sources. This comes as Modi prepares to assume office for an unprecedented third consecutive term after the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 293 seats in the Lok Sabha elections.
Sources indicate that top leaders from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, and Mauritius are among those likely to be invited. The media division of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s office confirmed that Modi extended an invitation to him, which Wickremesinghe accepted. Wickremesinghe also congratulated Modi on his electoral victory during a phone call.
“During the conversation, Prime Minister @narendramodi invited President Wickremesinghe to his swearing-in ceremony, which President @RW_UNP accepted,” the statement read.
Similarly, Modi invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during a phone conversation, and she has accepted the invitation, according to diplomatic sources.
Other leaders expected to receive invitations include Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth. Modi has already had a phone conversation with Prachanda regarding the ceremony. Formal invitations are anticipated to be sent out on Thursday.
Notably, leaders of the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries attended Modi’s first swearing-in ceremony in 2014. In 2019, leaders of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries were present for his second swearing-in.
Modi is likely to take the oath of office on June 8.
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