KATHMANDU: India’s “neighborhood first” policy is in international glare when heads of state of BIMSTEC countries join the swearing-in ceremony today evening in New Delhi. BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) is a major regional bloc comprising of selected countries from South and East Asia.
Modi seems to cautiously prioritize its reach to those South, East and Central Asian nations who are not hostile to India in an attempt to develop a close economic and political relationship. India is aligned to both SAARC as well as BIMSTEC only if the issue of ‘global terrorism’ does not come in the way. Zero tolerance for global terrorism has put a spanner to SAARC summit as South Asian countries are struggling hard to get rid of it. BIMSTEC is relatively cleaner to go ahead with a message of peace on Modi’s oath ceremony – the formal beginning of his office as Prime Minister for the second term, sidelining the issues of terrorism.
India’s President Ram Nath Kovind will administer the oath of office and secrecy to him and his cabinet amid a gathering of around 8,000 guests at the Rastrapati Bhawan in the Indian capital.
After the oath ceremony is over, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with his Nepali counterpart KP Oli, who flew to New Delhi this afternoon to take part in the swearing-in ceremony. Nepal and India share close historical relationship and are working together in a number of infrastructure development projects. Economic cooperation between the two neighbors will see a new boost after two leaders meet together. Nepal is expecting Modi’s visit this year at a convenient time.
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