Modi's invite to SAARC leaders evokes warm response, Sharif yet to decide

Posted on 23rd May 2014 02:02 pm by admin

New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's initiative to invite leaders of all SAARC countries for his swearing-in ceremony has evoked a warm response with the Afghan, Maldivian and Sri Lankan presidents and the Bhutanese and Nepalese prime ministers confirming their participation. Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif was yet to take a decision about participating.<br /><br />Bangladesh will be represented at the ceremony by its parliament speaker.<br /><br />Apart from leaders from SAARC countries, Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam will also attend the swearing-in.<br /><br />External Affairs Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said in a series of tweets that India had received confirmation about participation of Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom at Modi's swearing-in May 26.<br /><br />"India receives confirmation of participation from Sri Lanka @PresRajapaksa to attend @narendramodi swearing in ceremony on 26 May," he posted.<br /><br />He made similar tweets about confirmation about participation from Maldives and Afghanistan.<br /><br />Akbaruddin said India had also received confirmation that Bhutan's Prime Minister Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay and Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala will attend, while Bangladesh has informed that Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury will attend.<br /><br />The Pakistan Foreign Office said Prime Minister Sharif will decide Thursday whether or not to attend Modi's oath-taking ceremony and noted that it expects a "meaningful dialogue" with India after Modi assumes charge.<br /><br />Akbaruddin said Mauritius's Ramgoolam had been invited to the swearing-in and had confirmed his participation.<br /><br />Modi, who had surprised the world with his election victory, invited heads of government of all the SAARC countries for his oath-taking ceremony in a major diplomatic signal to the region as well as to the global community.<br /><br />Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh wrote to her SAARC counterparts Wednesday inviting their leaders to the swearing in on Monday.<br /><br />SAARC comprises, besides India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives, Bhutan and Afghanistan.<br /><br />Akbaruddin had said Wednesday it was the first time that India has invited all SAARC members to attend a swearing-in ceremony of the prime minister.<br /><br />Modi will take oath as India's 14th prime minister at the ceremony that is expected to be attended by over 3,000 invited guests and will be telecast live. The swearing-in ceremony would be held in the open forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace here.

Other news

Sushant case: CBI's SIT team will go to Mumbai today, police appointed DGP rank officer for coordination

CBI's SIT team will reach Mumbai today in the Sushant Singh case. The Mumbai Police has appointed

The Bads Of Bollywood: Ranbir Kapoor gets embroiled in controversy over this one scene, NHRC issues notice

Aryan Khan's "The Bads of Bollywood" is trending at number one on Netflix. Several major Bollywoo

Film Fraternity plunges into gloom over K.Balchander Death

KB, as he was fondly called by his fans, died at a private hospital here due to

Yodha Review: Siddharth Malhotra becomes the box office 'Yodha', the great debut of Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha

Karan Johar has given opportunity to many new talents as a producer. Since the recognizable faces

Activity increased at Chinese airbase after Tawang clash: Drone-fighter jets deployed just 150 KM from Arunachal

On December 9, China, which was defeated in a skirmish with the Indian Army in Tawang, Arunachal

Vaibhav's record didn't even last an hour: Bihari players shine in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Gani scores a century in 32 balls, and Kishan in 33 balls.

The first day of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025, December 24th, will be remembered for a long time

Russia Ukraine War: The uproar over the bodies of 410 civilians found near Kyiv, strongly condemned by America, France, and Germany

The Russian military's actions in Ukraine have triggered intense condemnation after 410 bodies of

Maamannan: Madras High Court gives relief to the makers of 'Maamannan', refuses to stay the film

There is good news for the makers of the Tamil film 'Mamanan'. The Madras High Court has refused

Amidst the Corona crisis, PM Modi held a meeting with Air Force Chief Bhadauria, know what issues were discussed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a meeting with Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria amid

Yoga sessions for central Government employees from April 1

New Delhi, March 20 (IANS) The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) will organise yoga t