Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to invite leaders from neighboring countries to his swearing-in ceremony on June 8th, according to sources familiar with the matter. The guest list includes President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan, Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth of Mauritius, and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ of Nepal. The formal invitations are expected to be sent out on Thursday, June 6th.
Modi’s swearing-in ceremony will mark the beginning of his third consecutive term as prime minister. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 293 seats in the recent Lok Sabha elections, forming a majority government with the support of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Janata Dal-United (JDU).
In 2014, when Modi first assumed office as prime minister, leaders from all the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries attended his swearing-in ceremony. In 2019, leaders from the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries attended Modi’s swearing-in for his second consecutive term as prime minister.
Modi’s decision to invite leaders from neighboring countries to his swearing-in ceremony is seen as a sign of his commitment to strengthening ties with India’s regional neighbors. India has a long history of close relations with its neighbors, and Modi has made it a priority to improve these relations since taking office in 2014.
The swearing-in ceremony is expected to be a grand affair, with leaders from across the globe in attendance. The ceremony will be held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India. Modi will take the oath of office before President Ram Nath Kovind.
After the swearing-in ceremony, Modi is expected to deliver a speech outlining his vision for India’s future. He is likely to focus on issues such as economic development, national security, and social justice. Modi is also expected to highlight India’s role as a leading power in the region and the world.
