Modi doesn’t invite Shehbaz to swearing-in

Foreign Office Spokesperson, Ms Mumtaz Zehra Baloch, confirmed it on Sunday

By Our Correspondent
June 10, 2024
A collage showing an undated image of PM Shehbaz Sharif (left) and Indian PM Narendra Modi gesturing during a swearing-in ceremony at the presidential palace in New Delhi, India, June 9, 2024. — PID/Reuters
A collage showing an undated image of PM Shehbaz Sharif (left) and Indian PM Narendra Modi gesturing during a swearing-in ceremony at the presidential palace in New Delhi, India, June 9, 2024. — PID/Reuters

ISLAMABAD: Indian PM Modi has not invited PM Shehbaz Sharif to attend his swearing-in for the third term. He has invited all heads of governments of neighbouring countries except Pakistan.

The Foreign Office Spokesperson, Ms Mumtaz Zehra Baloch, confirmed it on Sunday morning and made it clear that no communication has taken place between the two capitals in this regard.

To another query, she clarified that PM Shehbaz Sharif has not shared his greetings with Modi on his election till now. Pakistan and India have downgraded their diplomatic ties to the CdA level in August 2019 when India annexed occupied Kashmir and Pakistan expelled Indian high commissioner from Islamabad and India reciprocated in the same manner. Since then, the two countries are without HCs in their respective capitals.

It would be pertinent to refer that PM Nawaz Sharif had attended Modi’s oath-taking in 2014. Nawaz Sharif was accorded a befitting protocol in New Delhi on that occasion.