MODI'S GRAND PLAN: The reasons why Modi invited the leaders of SAARC nations to his swearing-in ceremony

New Delhi: Sources reveal Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif is likely to accept invitation for Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony. Heads of other SAARC nations have been invited to Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony on May 26. According to reports Foreign Ministry had also sent the invitation to Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif. Though the Ministry of External Affairs hasn’t confirmed the acceptance of the invitation. Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi has invited the heads of the governments of all South Asian states to attend his swearing-in on Monday.

1.It’s a first of its kind in India In a gesture, which diplomats and experts said was without precedent. Though foreign envoys stationed in New Delhi have attended past swearing-in, Ministry of External Affairs sources said, no world leader has been invited to attend what has traditionally been seen as a domestic event. The move startled regional diplomats-but also caused surprise in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which was not consulted on the decision, Bharatiya Janata Party sources said. Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh, the Ministry of External Affairs said, despatched formal invitations on Wednesday afternoon to the Presidents or Prime Ministers of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan’s President, has accepted the invitation but there was no immediate word on which other leaders would attend.

2.To exhibit his might to the world powers like China and USA For years Modi has been in news for not being able to travel to the United States of America but immediately after BJP’s landslide victory, world leaders including US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin called Modi to congratulate him. Modi through his Twitter handle thanked the leaders for their wishes. EH was welcomed by the White House to visit USA at his wish and will. The invitation of swearing-in ceremony to the leaders of the SAARC nations is just a way to put across a subtle message to the world powers that Modi is here to stay and will ensure growth of India. India is one of the powerful nations in the subcontinent and now its time to take India seriously.

3. To allay regional fears Modi’s surprise outreach, an advisor present at the meeting said, was intended to allay regional fears that his rise to power would herald a new hawkishness in Indian foreign policy. The Prime Minister-elect had ruffled feathers in Bangladesh by threatening to expel migrants from India’s north-east, while Sri Lanka was concerned over the influence ethnic nationalists in Tamil Nadu might have over his foreign policy.

4. Initiate peace talks with Pakistan UPA in its 10 year regime has not managed to achieve concrete steps to resolve differences between India and Pakistan. With an invitation sent out to the Prime Minister of the neighbouring country political analysts see it as Modi wasting no time to get down to business. In fact UPA’s ally and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described as "excellent" Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's move to invite Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other SAARC leaders for his swearing-in ceremony. Abdullah expressed the hope that it would be the beginning of sustained talks between India and Pakistan.

5. Makeover of his hardliner image Known for his dictatorial image and ruling with complete control in Gujarat, Modi has now resorted to an image makeover. Starting with an emotional speech on his debut in the Parliament and reaching out other parties Modi has now adapted a softer image. He has been criticised world over for his hardliner image. This invitation is seen as his way to reaching out to other countries and shedding his image of being an intolerant and autocratic leader.