22.5.14

SAARC leaders invited for NaMo's swearing-in


Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi unleashed his first initiative to spruce up India's foreign policy by extending an unprecedented invite to Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif and other Saarc government heads to attend his swearing-in on Monday .
Though the Pakistan foreign office on Wednesday didn't commit to Nawaz Sharif visiting India, citing pressing domestic preoccupations, Narendra Modi's gesture seems a calculated outreach to neighbours and a bid to deflate criticism that he is a confrontationist by temperament.
Sources said the invites are intended to make a political point as Modi's rivals have sought to paint him as a divisive leader whose ascendance would mean a heightening of tensions at home and in the neighbourhood.
The initiative also marks a switch in tenor from Modi's campaign tactics when he attacked the Manmohan Singh government for failing to respond adequately to Pakistan's provocations like beheading of jawans on the Indian side of LoC.
Though the new government runs the risk of some fresh outrage that has its roots in Pakistan, the decision to invite Sharif is seen as a bold statement and a safe one as the outreach extends to all Saarc leaders. It is also seen as a safe one because Pakisatani PM has been invited along with other leaders of the SAARC region.
Modi also puts the ball into Sharif 's court. Pakistani leaders and commentators have feared the implications of a Modi government in India. With the invitation, Modi has cornered the diplomatic advantage, leaving it to Islamabad to make the next move.
Sharif had called up Modi hours after the BJP won an emphatic mandate on May 16 when Lok Sabha poll results were announced. The Pakistan High Commission con firmed receiving the invite in the evening in the form of a letter by foreign secretary Sujatha Singh. Most of the SAARC leaders are expected to attend the ceremony, including President Hamid Karzai whose successor is yet to complete the election process in Afghanistan.
Sri Lanka's president Mahinda Rajapaksa will come on May 26, accompanied by foreign minister GL Peiris.
The notable absentee will be Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina. She is committed to travel to Japan between May 24-28. The Speaker of Bangladesh's Parliament, Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, will represent her. During the election campaign, Modi was particularly tough on illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, which is believed to have swung sentiment towards the BJP in Bengal and Assam where the party did well in the polls.
Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay will attend the event as will Nepal PM Sushil Koirala and Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

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