Modi decides not to attend WEF meeting in Devos

ISLAMABAD: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting to be held in Swiss hill resort Devos.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will attend the forum and he has given go ahead to the Foreign Office in this regard. The three-day forum will commence on 20th of this month. Earlier it was speculated that the two prime ministers could have another meeting in Devos but the chances have been diminished due to the New Delhi’s decision. Nawaz Sharif will be leaving for Colombo on a two-day visit tomorrow (Monday).

Well placed diplomatic sources told The News that the visit of the prime minister is significant as it would be the first highest level visit from Pakistan to that country after change of hands in power there. Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena, who was elected early last year, has extended invitations to Nawaz Sharif for the visit.

Sri Lanka was the first country with which Pakistan inked Free Trade Agreement (FTA) but their trade volume is less than its potential. The countries will sign a number of MoUs and trade and business agreements during the visit of the prime minister. The two leaders will also discuss regional and world situation besides subjects of mutual interest, the sources said.

In the meanwhile, Modi, who has often been in the opposition’s line of fire in his country for frequent foreign visits, has decided to cut down these trips this year. In 2016, the Indian prime minster will travel abroad only when it is absolutely necessary. According to a report in Indian media, external affairs ministry has been asked to keep Modi’s foreign engagements in 2016 to the minimum. As of now Modi has just two foreign visits scheduled in the first half of this year.

The decision to cut down foreign visits will help Modi concentrate more on domestic issues and upcoming budget session of parliament.

Since coming to power after Lok Sabha polls in May 2014, Modi has already visited 33 countries and met about two-third of world leaders in last 19 months. He has often been accused of spending public money on his frequent foreign trips and ignoring domestic issues by the opposition parties. The sources have indicated that the two prime ministers will have meeting in Washington on the last day of March where they will be attending Nuclear Security Summit to be hosted by US President Barrack Obama.