Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India will continue to work for peace, progress and prosperity in region during his third term. In this context, he called for deeper people-to-people ties and connectivity in the region. Mr Modi was meeting the visiting leaders of India’s neighbourhood and Indian Ocean Region at Rashtrapati Bhavan last night, after his swearing-in ceremony.
Thanking them for gracing the occasion, Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘SAGAR Vision’. Mr Modi said, India will continue to amplify the voice of the Global South in the international arena.
Top leaders from India’s neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region including Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe graced the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Council of Ministers.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay and Vice-President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif also attended the glittering ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the participation of these leaders in the swearing-in ceremony underlines India’s deep-rooted bonds of friendship and cooperation with the region.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, Mr Modi met the visiting leaders in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The leaders congratulated him for taking oath as Prime Minister for the historic third consecutive term, MEA said in a statement.
The foreign leaders also attended a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President while welcoming the leaders stated that India’s democratic exercise was not only a “moment of pride for its people, but an inspiration to millions around the world.
(With inputs from agencies)
