India not to invite PM Imran for PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony
Last updated on: 28 May,2019 12:14 pm
The leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Mauritius have been invited
NEW DELHI (Web Desk) – India will not invite Prime Minister Imran Khan to Thursday s swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi, who starts his second term as India s prime minister.
According to media reports, PM Imran Khan will not be invited in the oath taking ceremony Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
An Indian government statement on Monday said the leaders of Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, and Bhutan - all members, with India, of the little-known Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) - have been invited to Modi’s swearing-in.
The leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Mauritius have also been invited, but two sources in Indian’s foreign ministry said Pakistan will not be on the list, without providing further information.
PM Imran felicitates his Indian counterpart
On May 26, Prime Minister Imran Khan had spoken to his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, congratulating him on his party winning a second mandate.
A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday said that during the telephone call, Khan expressed his hope the two countries will work closely together to improve their relations.
Imran Khan reiterated his vision for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia and expressed that he looks forward to work with Prime Minister Modi to advance these objectives.
The premier in a tweet, earlier, congratulated Modi and said he looked forward to working for "peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia".
PM Modi responds to Imran Khan
After sweeping victory in Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi responded to his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan s congratulatory message on Twitter.
He expressed gratitude and his desire to work for "peace and development" in South Asia.
"Thank you PM @ImranKhanPTI. I warmly express my gratitude for your good wishes. I have always given primacy to peace and development in our region," he said.
The messages came just hours after Pakistan said it tested a surface-to-surface ballistic missile capable of carrying conventional and nuclear warheads. India tested its latest supersonic cruise missile on Wednesday.