After resigning on Wednesday, Narendra Modi is set to take the oath in the swearing-in ceremony on 8 June. Modi is all set to take charge as the prime minister for a historic third consecutive term with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) winning 293 seats in the Lok Sabha polls.
India has concluded the world’s largest elections! Congratulations @NarendraModi, my dear friend. Together we will continue strenghtening the strategic partnership that unites India and France. pic.twitter.com/NXd4TGnuyO
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 5, 2024
Who’s been invited?
Reports have suggested that PM Modi has extended invitations for his third term swearing-in ceremony to leaders of neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Mauritius.
Sri Lanka’s President, Ranil Wickremesinghe has confirmed that Modi extended an invitation to him for the ceremony, and he confirmed his presence for the same.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the @BJP4India led NDA’s electoral victory in a phone call. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/tNhJfuPAxX
— President’s Media Division of Sri Lanka – PMD (@PMDNewsGov) June 5, 2024
Bangladesh’s Prime Minster, Sheikh Hasina is reported to have a call with Modi, where he invited her to attend the swearing-in ceremony and she accepted it.
Besides, the invitations would also bring in Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth
India is unlikely to invite Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu due to his antagonistic views of New Delhi, though his predecessors had graced Modi’s two swearing-in ceremonies. And despite maintaining relations with the junta, New Delhi is unlikely to have a representative from Myanmar’s military regime, which overthrew the country’s civilian government in 2021.
In 2014, Modi invited Nawaz Sharif during the ceremony but this time it is unlikely to happen as the relations with Pakistan worsen.
Modi’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy
An ORF report states that the ‘Neighbourhood First’ approach is Modi’s attempt to promote regional stability and prosperity, recognising the importance of a secure and cooperative neighbourhood for India’s overall development and security.
Many geopolitical experts also note that the ‘Neighbourhood First’ approach is India’s attempt to counter China’s growing influence in the region.
An example of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy is when India sent COVID-19 vaccines worth Rs 22.5928 million to Bangladesh, followed by Rs 9.499 million worth to Nepal.
