Aligning with India’s steadfast commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the ‘SAGAR’ vision, leaders from the neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region have been invited as distinguished guests for the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, June 9, 2024.
These leaders include heads of state from Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Nepal, and Bhutan. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Saturday that several prominent leaders have accepted the invitation. The confirmed attendees are President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of the Maldives Mohamed Muizzu, Vice-President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, and Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay.
The swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi and his Council of Ministers, following the General Elections 2024, is set to take place at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The MEA emphasized the significance of the event, highlighting it as a reflection of India’s high priority on its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘SAGAR’ vision. These policies underscore India’s strategic focus on fostering robust relationships with its immediate neighbours and enhancing cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.
In addition to attending the swearing-in ceremony, the invited leaders will also be present at a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan later the same evening. This gathering underscores the importance of regional solidarity and India’s commitment to maintaining close ties with its neighbours.
A source familiar with the arrangements informed ANI that due to the upcoming G7 meeting in Italy, the guest list has been kept compact. PM Modi is scheduled to attend the G7 summit later in the week. Despite the constraints, the seating arrangement has been meticulously planned for over 8,000 guests, with invitations extended to a diverse group including labourers, lawyers, doctors, artists, cultural performers, and influencers.
There were initial speculations that the oath ceremony might be held at Kartavya Path. However, due to ongoing weather conditions, the venue has been confined to Rashtrapati Bhavan. This decision ensures that the ceremony proceeds smoothly, accommodating the esteemed guests and the significant number of attendees.
PM Modi’s invitation to neighbouring leaders reflects India’s ongoing efforts to engage with countries in the region. In 2014, during his first swearing-in, he convened leaders from SAARC nations. In 2019, he invited leaders from the BIMSTEC group, demonstrating a consistent approach to regional diplomacy.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan announced on Friday that PM Modi is set to be sworn in for his third consecutive term on June 9. Alongside him, members of his council of ministers will also take their oaths. Prior to this announcement, PM Modi met with President Droupadi Murmu to stake his claim to form the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government under his leadership.
“Exercising powers vested in her under Article 75 (1) of the Constitution of India, President Droupadi Murmu today appointed @narendramodi to the office of Prime Minister of India,” the President’s office posted on X. The President also requested PM Modi to advise her on the names of other persons to be appointed as members of the Union Council of Ministers and to indicate the date and time of the swearing-in ceremony.
PM Modi’s leadership of the NDA was formally endorsed with crucial support from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Janata Dal (United). The NDA commands a strong position in the Lok Sabha with 293 MPs out of 543. Among these, the BJP holds the largest share with 240 seats, showcasing a robust mandate from the electorate. In the 2019 elections, the BJP had secured a total of 303 seats, reflecting its substantial influence in Indian politics.
As PM Modi prepares to take the oath for his third consecutive term, the presence of regional leaders at the ceremony underscores the importance of India’s diplomatic ties and its strategic vision for the neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region.
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