Narendra Modi being welcomed in Ahmedabad on Tuesday
has invited the leaders of Pakistan, Bangladesh and other South Asian neighbours to his oath ceremony as prime minister next Monday, in a bold step to embark on a policy of regional engagement. (
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Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai has reportedly confirmed he will attend. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa is also likely to attend as are Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Maldives President Abdulla Yameen, say sources. (
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The BJP's southern ally MDMK is opposed to Mr Rajapaksa's participation. MDMK chief Vaiko and many other Tamil political parties allege that civilian casualties of the Tamils peaked during the last leg of the war against LTTE with Mr Rajapaksa at the helm of affairs. (
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Pakistan's high commission has received the invitation, which is issued formally by the foreign ministry. But sources say that instead of attending the ceremony himself, PM Nawaz Sharif will send a representative. After his own election last year, Sharif's administration had also suggested that the Indian PM be invited to attend his inauguration ceremony, but Dr Singh declined. (
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The move by Mr Modi signals a huge shift in the BJP's position on Pakistan leaving behind much of the rhetoric of election campaign and is welcomed by Kashmiri leaders.
"Excellent move by @narendramodi to invite SAARC leaders, especially Pak PM for his swearing in. Hope this is beginning of sustained talks (sic)," Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah tweeted. Minutes later he again posted, "At the same time I can't help wonder what BJP would have said if a PM designate Rahul Gandhi had done the same thing."
The Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti echoed the praise. "It's good omen to invite Pak PM on Modi's swearing-in ceremony," she said.
Mr Modi's huge victory in the general election gives him the political capital that his predecessor Manmohan Singh, weakened by a raft of graft scandals and public discontent at home, did not have. The BJP has indicated that Mr Modi will work to a re-crafted foreign policy. (
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