June 6th 2024.
The upcoming swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi is set to be a grand event, with the presence of several top leaders from India's long-standing strategic partners in the region. This is in line with India's "Neighbourhood First" and "SAGAR" vision, which emphasizes strong and cooperative relationships with neighboring countries.
Reports suggest that Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have already confirmed their attendance for the ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on June 9. In fact, Wickremesinghe even had a phone conversation with PM Modi on Wednesday, where he congratulated him on his historic electoral victory. Later on, the Lankan President's media division confirmed that Wickremesinghe had accepted PM Modi's invitation to visit Delhi later this week.
The President's office stated that during their conversation, PM Modi extended a warm invitation to President Wickremesinghe to attend his swearing-in ceremony, which the latter graciously accepted. This isn't the first time that a Sri Lankan President has attended PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony. In 2019, then President Maithripala Sirisena was present at the event following the NDA's resounding victory in the general elections.
Similarly, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was among the first foreign leaders to congratulate PM Modi on his victory, is also expected to travel to Delhi for the event. In 2019, then President Abdul Hamid represented Bangladesh at the ceremony as Prime Minister Hasina was unable to attend due to a prior commitment.
Apart from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, invites are also being sent to leaders of other neighboring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Mauritius, and Maldives. In the 2019 ceremony, Nepal PM K.P. Sharma Oli, Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, and Thai Agriculture Minister, along with many other leaders from BIMSTEC grouping, were in attendance. It is worth mentioning that in 2014, when PM Modi took oath as the Prime Minister for the first time, leaders from all SAARC member states were present at the ceremony, making it a historic event.
India's outreach to its neighboring countries and the strong relationships it has forged with them is evident in the invitation extended to their leaders to attend such an important event. This gesture showcases the importance that India places on its relationships with its neighbors and its commitment to promoting unity and cooperation in the region. We can expect the upcoming swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi to be a momentous occasion, with the presence of esteemed leaders from various countries, reflecting the strong and harmonious relationships that India has developed with its neighbors.
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