Shubharambh to Modi Sarkaar 3.0: Who all are invited to Modi's Swearing-In ceremony?

In a fresh announcement coming in from the Ministry of External Affairs, it is being known that for the Swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi , that will take place tomorrow (9th June), leaders from India's neighbourhood & Indian Ocean Region have been invited. These guests have been invited in line with India's Neighbourhood First Policy & SAGAR vision. There are interesting names in the list, have a look;

 

 

 

 

 

 

India and Sri Lanka share a deep-rooted history of cultural, religious, and trade connections that date back to ancient times. Many Sri Lankans have Indian ancestry, reflecting the strong cultural bonds between the two nations. Additionally, Buddhism, which began in India, remains a significant religion in Sri Lanka.

 

During a severe economic crisis, India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi , provided about USD 4 billion in aid to Sri Lanka, a vital contribution that helped the country endure the turmoil. Furthermore, India has actively participated in assisting Sri Lanka with debt restructuring by collaborating with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other creditors. Notably, India was the first nation to submit a letter of support for Sri Lanka's financing and debt restructuring efforts.

 

 

 

 

Situated south of India, the Maldives holds significant strategic importance in the Indian Ocean, serving as a gateway to the Arabian Sea and beyond. India has a long history of providing security assistance to the Maldives, notably intervening during a coup attempt in 1988 with Operation Cactus and engaging in joint naval exercises to ensure the nation's protection.

 

India has consistently offered aid during various crises, including tsunamis and drinking water shortages. The delivery of essential supplies and support during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights India's role as a dependable ally.

 

India and the Maldives share a deep cultural and historical connection that spans centuries. Buddhism was the dominant religion in the Maldivian islands until the first half of the 12th century, with evidence of Vajrayana Buddhism in ancient inscriptions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

India and Seychelles have enjoyed a long-standing friendship since Seychelles gained independence in 1976. India has been a generous supporter, offering training programs through the ITEC program, financial aid, and material assistance.

 

Indian companies such as Bank of Baroda and Bharti Airtel have made substantial investments in Seychelles. Additionally, the Indian community in Seychelles, mainly from Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, has significantly contributed to various sectors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The foundation of India’s relationship with Bangladesh was laid in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. There was a rise in anti-India sentiment in the mid-1970s over issues ranging from boundary disputes and insurgency to the sharing of water. The instability continued for a few decades until Sheikh Hasina came to power in 1996 and scripted a new chapter in bilateral ties with a treaty on the sharing of Ganga waters.

 

Bangladesh has emerged as India’s largest trade partner in South Asia, with bilateral trade reaching USD 18 billion in 2021-2022 from USD 10.8 billion in 2020-21, though there was a dip in 2022-23 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine War. India is also the second biggest trade partner of Bangladesh, with exports amounting to USD 2 billion in Indian markets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although India and Mauritius officially established diplomatic relations in 1948, their shared history and connections trace back to 1730, spanning successive Dutch, French, and British occupations. Indian workers arrived in Mauritius as indentured laborers to work on sugar plantations during colonial rule. Mauritius celebrates November 2 as 'Aapravasi Day,' honoring the arrival of the first group of Indian indentured laborers to the African country.

 

Mauritius has been a significant investor in India, particularly in finance, real estate, healthcare, and education. The already-strong relations between India and Mauritius have continued to strengthen over the years based on shared interests. However, Mauritius has also engaged with China, signing a free trade agreement with Beijing in 2021.

 

Despite this, recent projects inaugurated by PM Modi and PM Jugnauth indicate that India remains Mauritius's top priority. The new airstrip and jetty not only enhance goodwill and trust between the two nations but also underscore India’s commitment to its SAFAR vision and its aim to assist smaller countries in developing their capabilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

India and Nepal recently signed a long-term agreement for power export during the 7th meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission, underscoring the strengthening ties between the two nations.

 

India is Nepal's largest trade partner and the main source of foreign investments, as well as providing transit for almost all of Nepal's third-country trade. India accounts for about two-thirds of Nepal’s merchandise trade and about one-third of its trade in services.

 

 

 

 

India is Bhutan's largest trading partner, accounting for over 80% of Bhutan's total imports and exports. However, concerns have been raised in Bhutan about the trade imbalance, as Bhutan imports more from India than it exports.

 

In the Interim Budget for 2024-25, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been allocated Rs 22,154 crore. Reflecting India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, the largest share of aid is granted to Bhutan with an allocation of Rs 2,068 crore, down from Rs 2,400 crore in 2023-24.

 

 

 

 

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