Modi Good Neighbourly diplomacy hailed

New Delhi: Among the heads of state likely to attend the new Indian prime minister’s swearing-in are Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maldives President Abdulla Yameen. Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has confirmed he will attend. Islamabad has confirmed that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will attend the swearing-in. Bangladesh will send the Speaker of the national assembly as the prime minister is pre-occupied with her foreign visit. 

However, BJP’s southern ally MDMK is opposed to Rajapaksa’s participation. MDMK chief Vaiko and many other Tamil political parties allege that civilian casualties of the Tamils peaked during the last leg of the war against LTTE with Rajapaksa at the helm of affairs.

The Modi diplomacy signals a huge shift in BJP’s campaign rhetoric, which is widely welcomes in India.

The People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti echoed the praise. “It’s good omen to invite Pak PM on Modi’s swearing-in ceremony,” she said.