Official Spokesperson's response to media queries on invitation to Leaders of SAARC member countries for the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister of India



In response to media queries, the Official Spokesperson stated that:

'I have just one announcement to make that relates to the communication that Foreign Secretary Mrs Sujatha Singh has earlier this afternoon sent to her counterparts from seven other SAARC member states. In this communication she has conveyed to them, on behalf of the Prime Minister -- designate, Shri Narendra Modi an invitation to their leaders to the swearing in ceremony on the 26th of this month.

These communications have just gone off in the afternoon and we are now awaiting a response. Of course we have also had informal consultations with several SAARC countries in this matter and we hope to have their responses in the next couple of days.

We will keep you informed of the outcome of our efforts on this matter. This is for us a first of sorts because this is the first time that India has invited all SAARC members to attend a swearing.