Maldives Prez, Bangaldesh's Shaikh Hasina to attend PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony today

Preparations underway for the swearing-in-ceremony of the new government at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Saturday. Pic/PTI

India on Friday announced that leaders of seven countries from India's neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region including Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi on June 9. Hasina and Vice-President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif have already arrived in Delhi.

Besides Hasina and Afif, the other leaders attending the ceremony are Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda", Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

"The visit of the leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his third consecutive term is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its ‘Neighbourhood First' policy and ‘SAGAR' vision," it said. India has been cooperating with the countries of the Indian Ocean region under the broader policy framework of SAGAR or Security and Growth for all in the Region.

"The swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers following the General Elections 2024 is scheduled on June 9 2024. On the occasion, leaders from India's neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region have been cordially invited as distinguished guests," the MEA said.

In addition to participating in the swearing-in ceremony, the leaders will attend a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, it said. The swearing-in ceremony is slated to take place at 7.15 pm on Sunday at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Shortly after Hasina arrived in Delhi on Saturday, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X: "This visit of one of our most valued partners will further strengthen India-Bangladesh close and deep-rooted bonds of friendship." The invitation by New Delhi to Muizzu to attend the swearing-in ceremony assumed significance as it came amid frosty ties between India and the Maldives.

Home, finance, defence and external affairs likely to remain with BJP

PM designate Narendra Modi is set to take oath amid hectic parleys involving BJP leadership and allies over the share of berths of different constituents of the National Democratic Alliance in the new government.

PM designate Narendra Modi with TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar. PIC/PTI

Senior BJP leaders have been consulting the allies, including Telugu Desam Party's N Chandrababu Naidu, JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar and Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde, to finalise their share of representation in the government.

Parliament will no longer be muzzled: Sonia Gandhi

Congress Parliamentary Party president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday described the Lok Sabha election results as "political and moral defeat" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he has lost the moral right to leadership.

Mallikarjun Kharge, with Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. PIC/PTI

Addressing MPs in the Central Hall of Parliament, she said, "No longer can one and should bulldoze Parliament like it has been for a decade now. No longer will the writ of the ruling establishment be permitted to disrupt Parliament and mistreat members".

Capital put on high alert

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take oath today and will be the first three-term Prime Minister since Congress stalwart Jawaharlal Nehru.

Black cats on standby

The city has been declared a no-fly zone for the next few days. PIC/PTI

With dignitaries from all over the world expected to grace the occasion, a three-layered security has been put in place at Rashtrapati Bhawan where he will be administered oath of office by President Droupadi Murmu. Officials who are a part of the security plan said that commandos from Delhi Police's SWAT and NSG will be deployed around the venue and other strategic locations.

No-fly zone
Police have declared the national capital a no-fly zone, banning the use of aerial platforms like drones, para gliders, remotely piloted aircraft and hot air balloons for the next couple of days. The dignitaries will be given designated routes from their hotels to the venue and back, keeping their safety in mind.

Traffic
Officials said several roads heading towards the central Delhi will be shut tomorrow or there may be traffic diversions.

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