PM Modi Highlights Global South And 'Neighbourhood First' At Rashtrapati Bhawan

Hours after being sworn in as Prime Minister for a third consecutive term, Narendra Modi engaged in a series of meetings with leaders from neighbouring countries who attended the grand ceremony in the national capital on Sunday. Modi affirmed that India would continue its efforts towards ensuring peace, progress, and prosperity in the region.

It was stated by Prime Minister Modi that India would maintain its commitment to amplifying the voice of the Global South on the international stage.

PM Modi Highlights Global - Here's What PM Said

The swearing-in ceremony was graced by the presence of several leaders from India's neighbouring countries, including Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Following the ceremony, interactions were held by PM Modi with the visiting dignitaries at Rashtrapati Bhavan, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs. Acknowledgements were extended by PM Modi to these leaders for their attendance at the event, and he reaffirmed India's dedication to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and the 'SAGAR Vision', as mentioned by the ministry in a statement.

According to the statement, PM Modi conveyed to the leaders that during his third term, India's commitment to fostering regional peace, progress, and prosperity in close collaboration with neighbouring countries would persist. Additionally, he highlighted the need for strengthening people-to-people connections and regional connectivity.

The prime minister stressed that throughout his third term, efforts would be directed towards regional peace, progress, and prosperity in partnership with neighbouring countries, while also pursuing the objective of a 'Vikshit Bharat' (Developed India) by 2047. In this context, he called for enhanced people-to-people ties and connectivity within the region.

He also reiterated India's commitment to representing the Global South's voice on the international platform, as per the Ministry of External Affairs' statement. On social media platform X, PM Modi expressed gratitude to the attending leaders.

"I am grateful to all the foreign dignitaries who joined the swearing-in ceremony. India will always work closely with our valued partners in pursuit of human progress," he wrote.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu was making his first visit to India since assuming office in the island nation last year. Known for his pro-China stance, Muizzu had previously strained relations with India by demanding the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 240 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, falling 32 seats short of a simple majority. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term in government relies on the BJP's National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies to achieve a majority in the lower house of Parliament.

In total, the NDA secured 293 seats, significantly fewer than predicted by exit polls. The Opposition's INDIA bloc exceeded expectations, securing victories in 234 seats.