After the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) chose him to be their leader during a pivotal meeting in the nation’s capital on Wednesday, Narendra Modi is scheduled to take the oath of office as Prime Minister for a third consecutive term on Sunday.
Although the BJP did not secure a majority independently, the party-led NDA alliance won 293 out of 543 seats, surpassing the majority threshold 272 in the Lok Sabha.
With the Janata Dal-United (JDU) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) acting as potential “kingmakers” and giving their consent, the formation of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is on track.
Leaders of India’s neighboring countries have been invited to attend the ceremony, strengthening its ties with top South Asian nations. The VIP roll call also includes an invite to Pravind Jugnauth, the Prime Minister of Mauritius.
The Guest List
In the past, nations part of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and leaders of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) were invited to Modi’s oath ceremony.
This time, leaders of island nations in the Indian Ocean Region have recently been added to the guest list to enhance cooperation and foreign relations. In addition to countries that are a part of the Neighborhood First Policy, like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, and Nepal, invitations have been extended to Mauritius and Seychelles.
Although Mauritius is not a member of the Neighbourhood First policy, it has been invited to the Prime Minister’s swearing-in ceremony due to its unique relationship with India. The two nations’ cultural connections and long historical ties have birthed solid and cordial relations. Over 68% of the Mauritian population is of Indian origin, commonly known as Indo-Mauritians.
India and Mauritius cooperate in combating piracy, a significant threat in the Indian Ocean region, and Mauritius supports India’s stance against terrorism. Most Indo-Mauritians are Hindu (73.7%), with a substantial Muslim community (26.3%). According to the 2011 census, Mauritius is Africa’s only Hindu-majority country.
Maldives
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu was a surprising addition to the list of invitees, given the strained relations between Male and New Delhi since his election last year, supported by an “India Out” campaign.
The “India Out” campaign in the Maldives sought to reduce Indian influence and presence, particularly criticizing Indian military personnel stationed there. It capitalized on nationalist sentiments and pushed for stronger ties with China, positioning Indian involvement as a threat to Maldivian sovereignty and independence.
Muizzu has taken several steps to align the Maldives closer to China, including forcing India to recall over 85 military personnel stationed in the Indian Ocean archipelago who operated two helicopters and an aircraft primarily used for medical evacuations and humanitarian relief operations. Inviting Muizzu was intended to signal India’s willingness to continue cooperation with the Maldives in crucial areas.
The Maldives confirmed Muizzu’s acceptance of the invitation late on Thursday, with officials in Male stating he would be accompanied by three cabinet members, including Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer. This will mark his first visit to India since assuming office.
Other reasons for inviting leaders of neighboring countries to the inauguration included logistical considerations. Many of these leaders have close ties with India and could attend on short notice, shedding light on India’s intention to maintain a focus on the neighborhood.
