 "Which 7 world leaders are attending Modi’s swearing-in ceremony? Why are they important to India?")
We are hours away from Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, which will take place today at 7.15 pm at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Modi is all set to take charge as the prime minister for a historic third consecutive term.
“The President will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the prime minister and other members of the Union Council of Ministers at 7.15 pm on June 09, 2024, at Rashtrapati Bhavan,” an official announcement read.
Leaders of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius, and Seychelles will be in attendance for the swearing-in ceremony of Modi.
What’s the significance behind the invites?
Who’s been invited?
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, keeping in mind his ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have confirmed the same, with Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sheikh Hasina already confirming their attendance.
The media office of Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe confirmed that Modi extended an invitation to him for the swearing-in ceremony and Wickremesinghe had accepted the invitation.
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
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIt is reported that Modi held a phone conversation with Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina and in the phone conversation, he invited Hasina to attend his swearing-in ceremony and she accepted it.
Nepal’s Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Bhutan’s Tshering Tobgay and Mauritius’ Pravind Jugnauth will also be attending Modi’s swearing-in ceremony.
Despite frosty bilateral relations, Maldives president Mohammed Muizzu will also attend the swearing-in ceremony along with his Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer. Finance Minister Ahmed Shafeeq and Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed are also expected to attend.
What is the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy?
Modi’s choice of leaders for his oath-taking ceremony, according to experts, is his commitment to the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.
But what is this policy? Conceptualised in 2008, ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy of India is a core component of India’s foreign policy. Before coming to power the first time around, Modi had stated that he would make this a core of his foreign policy.
This ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy guides India’s approach towards the management of its relations with countries in its immediate neighbourhood — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
In simple words, it is aimed at improving physical, digital and people to people connectivity across the region, as well as augmenting trade and commerce.
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 of countering China’s growing influence in the region.
And through his years in office, PM Modi has reiterated his commitment to this approach. For instance, when Sri Lanka faced a massive economic turmoil in 2022, India outdid even the IMF by extending a lifeline to their economy in the form of a $4 billion financial and humanitarian assistance. This has led to Colombo pivoting away from China.
Another 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.
Another example of his commitment to the approach was that his first foreign visit after COVID-19 was to Bangladesh. Moreover, the two neighbours have come together to ink the historic Land Boundary Agreement .
The Ministry of External Affairs also stated that the invites was in alignment with India’s steadfast commitment to the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision . The SAGAR vision was launched by PM Modi in 2015 during his visit to the Indian Ocean island states of Seychelles, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka.
ORF describes the SAGAR vision as a collective pursuit of security based on shared interests. The plan is seen as a moral framework that respects the “legitimate strategic imperative of all civilised nations.” The vision aims to strengthen India’s economic and security ties with its maritime neighbours while enhancing their maritime security capabilities.
What about past Modi swearing-in events?
Narendra Modi’s invites for his third oath-taking ceremony follows a past tradition. In 2014, when Modi was sworn-in for his first term, the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) leaders, including then Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, had been invited and had attended the ceremony.
At the time, Modi had also invited senior BJP and Congress leaders as well as Bollywood actors and top industrialists for the event. Along with Modi, 45 MPs, including seven women, had also been sworn in as ministers.
Then in 2019, Modi had invited leaders of the BIMSTEC countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand for his second swearing-in ceremony. Kyrgyz president and then chair of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Sooronbay Jeenbekov, and Mauritius PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth were also present at the event. Along with Modi, 24 Union ministers and nine ministers of state had also been sworn in at the event at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
It is still left to be seen who will be sworn in with Modi on 8 June, but experts note that there will be a larger representation from the allies owing to the BJP’s less than stellar performance at the polls.
With inputs from agencies
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
