Narendra Modi is set to be sworn in as India’s Prime Minister of India for an unprecedented third consecutive term on Saturday. A meeting of the leaders from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) unanimously chose him as their leader. The event highlights Modi’s continued influence and the strong mandate given by the electorate.
Reflecting India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, top South Asian leaders have been invited to the swearing-in ceremony. Confirmations from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have already received. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, one of the first foreign leaders to congratulate Modi on his electoral victory, will arrive in Delhi on Friday. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has also accepted the invitation and extended his congratulations to Modi.
Invitations have also been extended to Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and Mauritius’s Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, showcasing the inclusivity of the event and the importance of regional cooperation. In 2014 and 2019, Modi’s oath-taking ceremony was attended by leaders of SAARC and BIMSTEC nations, reinforcing India’s strategic focus on strengthening neighborhood ties and promoting regional camaraderie and diplomatic engagement.
