BIMSTEC leaders to attend PM Modi's swearing-in on 30 May
What's the story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony on 30 May is likely to be attended by leaders of seven-nation BIMSTEC grouping. President Ram Nath Kovind will administer the Oath of Office and Secrecy to Modi, who has been re-elected for a second term, and other members of the Union Council of Ministers at 7 pm on 30 May at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi. Here's more.
About
BIMSTEC comprises these seven member states
The BIMSTEC, which stands for Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, is a grouping of seven nations- five South Asian countries and two Southeast Asian members. The member states of BIMSTEC include Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, and Bhutan. The grouping aims to act as a bridge between the countries from South and Southeast Asia.
Report
Invitation in line with government's 'Neighborhood First' policy: MEA
News Agency ANI earlier reported that the government has invited BIMSTEC leaders to PM Modi's oath-taking ceremony. "Government of India has invited the leaders of the BIMSTEC Member States for the Swearing-in ceremony on May 30. This is in line with Government's focus on its 'Neighbourhood First' policy," the Ministry of External Affairs Ministry was quoted by ANI as saying.
Twitter Post
Here's what the External Affairs Ministry stated
MEA: Government of India has invited the leaders of the BIMSTEC Member States for the Swearing-in ceremony on May 30. This is in line with Government's focus on its 'Neighbourhood First' policy. pic.twitter.com/588hLOMjyA
— ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2019
Details
PM Sheikh Hasina to miss Modi's oath-taking ceremony: Reports
Meanwhile, some reports claim that Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to miss PM Modi's oath-taking ceremony for the second time due to her three-nation foreign visit. The country's Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq would attend the ceremony as the senior-most Cabinet member of the Bangladeshi Government. Also, there's no indication of Pakistani PM Imran Khan being invited to the event.
Other invitees
Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan have also been invited to oath-taking ceremony
Besides the foreign leaders, the guest list for PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony reportedly includes actors turned politicians from Tamil Nadu, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, as well. Also, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister-designate YS Jagan Mohan Reddy are also expected to attend the grand event at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 30 May.