India has extended invitations to leaders from neighboring countries to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi for his third term, scheduled for June 9. Among the dignitaries invited are Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremasinghe, Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and Nepal’s Premier Pushpa Kumar Dahal, also known as “Prachanda.”
Special security measures have been put in place for the foreign dignitaries attending Modi’s ceremony to ensure a smooth and incident-free event, as reported by The Hindu. Meanwhile, several world leaders, including United States President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and French President Emmanuel Macron, have already extended their congratulations to Modi on his re-election.
Modi’s re-election marks a historic moment in Indian politics, as he secured his third term as Prime Minister. While his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), won 240 constituencies, falling short of the majority of 272 constituencies, Modi garnered support from regional allies within his National Democratic Alliance coalition, including the Telugu Desam Party and the Janata Dal (United).
However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan has notably refrained from congratulating Modi on his electoral victory. When questioned about Pakistan’s stance on the Indian elections during a press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and constructive dialogue with all its neighbors, including India.
Baloch highlighted Pakistan’s desire for cooperative relations with India but expressed concerns over the bilateral environment, particularly in light of India’s actions in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) since August 5, 2019. She emphasized Pakistan’s belief in peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir, through dialogue and engagement.
Despite challenges in the bilateral relationship, Pakistan remains committed to promoting peace and stability in the region and hopes that India will take steps to create a conducive environment for dialogue and resolution of long-standing disputes for the mutual benefit of both countries.
