Narendra Modi begins his work at the PMO; meets SAARC leaders

New Delhi: A day after the majestic oath ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his work as the 15th Prime Minister of the largest democracy. At around 8:45 in the morning, Narendra Modi, in presence of Modisenior bureaucrats walked inside the Prime Minister’s Office in the South Block of Raisina Hills at New Delhi.

Nipendra Mishra who is going to be the Principal Secretary to Narendra Modi, escorted him to his office as the Narendra Modi began his work as the head of the country.

After having spent about 20 minutes in his office, Narendra Modi headed to Hyderabad House where he had a series of meeting with the SAARC leaders who had arrived to attend his swearing-in ceremony. At Hyderabad House he had met Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Bhutan Prime minister TsheringTobgay, Nepal Prime Minister SushilKoirala, Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin.

Sushma Swaraj who has been appointed as the Minister of External Affairs was present during these meetings. Discussions on several important issues Prime Minister Narendra modi meets Sri Lankan president at hyderabad housewith these neighbouring countries took place in this first bilateral meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Among various meetings, crucial was the talk between Modi and Afghans President Hamid Karzai due to the recent attack on the Indian Consulate in Afghanistan’s Herat city earlier last month.

Prime Minister NarendraModi met Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at around 12: 30pm at Hyderabad House. Nawaz Sharif was accompanied by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz. The landmark meeting between both the heads are considered to be a crucial step to take forward bilateral issues. Although the meet was scheduled for 35 minutes but it was extended to nearly 50 minutes.

Soon after Nawaz Sharif reached Hyderabad House, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shook hands with him. Faces of both Prime Ministers were lit up with a smile as both of them met and shook their hands. During this meet too Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accompanied by Sushma Swaraj and other bureaucrats from the External Affairs Ministry.

In the meeting with Nawaz Sharif, Modi reportedly discussed range of crucial issues including the issue of Terrorism. Indian Prime Minister asked Nawaz Sharif to ensure that terror attacks must end. He also raised concerns over the delay in 26/11 trial. The issues related to terrorist Hafiz Saeed, Lashkar-e-Taiba as well as Dawood Ibrahim was also raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The recent attack on the Indian Consulate in Afghanistan’s Herat city was also discussed in the meeting.

Both the leaders agreed that the foreign secretaries will “meet soon” to carry forward bilateral agenda and both the nations would focus to resolve their long standing issues.

Prime Minister Narendra modi meets karzai at hyderabad houseAfter the meet Nawaz Sharif stold reporters, “I am very pleased to be in New Delhi. I feel privileged to be here. I had a good and constructive meeting with PM Narendra Modi. My meeting in New Delhi should be a historic opportunity for both the countries.”

“Can’t achieve the common goal of development without peace and stability. We will have to alter confrontation into co-operation” Nawaz Sharif said.

After this meet with Mr. Nawaz Sharif, Bangladesh Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury walked inside the Hyderabad House. Let’s not forget that Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina could not attend NarendraModi’s oath ceremony as she is on her scheduled visit to Japan.

The Ministry of External Affairs conducted a press conference in the evening where-in they told the press about each and every meeting of Prime Minister NarendraModi with the SAARC leaders.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi today had good and substantive meetings with all eight leaders who are visiting India. He thanked each of them for their gracious decision in accepting his invitation to attend the ceremony of oath taking and noted that this was a celebration of democracy in the region enriched by their presence.

In his meeting with President Karzai of Afghanistan, PM thanked Afghanistan for the assistance provided by the Afghan National Security Forces in repelling the attack on our consulate in Herat. He said that the attack only strengthened our resolve to work together with Afghanistan. He reiterated India’s commitment to the development and reconstruction of Afghanistan and India’s interest in seeing a prosperous independent and sovereign Afghanistan where the reconciliation process will be Afghan lead, Afghan owned and Afghan controlled.

Modi meets Bangladesh speakerIn his meeting with Prime Minister TsheringTobgay of Bhutan, PM conveyed his long greetings and respect to his majesty, the king of Bhutan. He noted that India and Bhutan share a unique and special relationship with long standing historical and cultural linkages. He assured PM Tobgay of India’s unslinging support for Bhutan’s socio-economic development. The two Prime Ministers agreed to commence four new joint venture hydro-electric projects in Bhutan. He affirmed their mutual security interests and agreed to closely coordinate and cooperate on issues relating to their national interest.

Prime Minister conveyed to Abdullah Yameenof Maldives the high importance attached by India to its relations with the Maldives and pledged to work towards further enhancing the bilateral cooperation. Prime Minister noted that two countries had a shared recognition that the security interests of both countries were interlinked and agreed that each side will continue to be sensitive to the concern of the other on the issue.

Prime Minister recalled the special and unique relationship between India and Mauritius in his meeting with Prime Minister Dr.Navin Chandra Ramgoolam of Mauritius. He noted that two countries are bound together by history, communalist history and kingship of their people,” the statement said.

The Ministry of External Affairs also informed that the Prime Minister expressed his desire to visit Nepal this year. “In his meeting with MahindaRajapaksa of Srilanka PM noted that India valued its relations with Srilanka,” the statement further said.

Modi-Sharif-PTIInforming about the meeting of PM Narendra Modi and Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif, the Ministry informed, “In the meeting with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, PM underlined our concerns relating to terrorism. It was conveyed that Pakistan must abide by its commitment to prevent its territory and territory under its control from being used for terrorism against India,” the ministry informed.

While concluding its press conference the Ministry statement said that the visiting dignitaries expressed appreciation for PM’s gesture in inviting the leaders of SAARC and Mauritius to India for the oath taking ceremony and for PM’s focus on SAARC.

Suyash Karangutkar

About Suyash Karangutkar

Suyash Karangutkar is a young, dedicated and an enthusiastic journalist who has a deep interest in National and International Affairs. He is an ardent political spectator who finds politics fascinating. At Spectralhues, he heads the Mumbai team and covers National Affairs & Politics. He also occasionally writes columns for Spectralhues. He can be followed on Twitter @columnistsuyash
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