India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2L) is greeted by his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif (3rd R) after Modi took the oath of office at the presidential palace in New Delhi May 26, 2014. Also seen are India's President Pranab Mukherjee (L), Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa (R), and Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam (2nd R). PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has arrived in New Delhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony of India’s incoming premier Narendra Modi. Being optimistic and expressing the significance of his trip, Nawaz has said that his meeting with Modi is crucial for both countries.
Nawaz is among a clutch of regional leaders who will be attending Modi’s inauguration. This is the first time in the history of India that a Pakistani prime minister has been invited to the oath-taking ceremony of an Indian premier.
10:15pmEarlier in the evening in my conversation with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif he shared some very emotional things.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 26, 2014
Nawaz Sharif ji told me that he stays in Islamabad but goes to meet his Mother once in a week.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 26, 2014
This time when he was eating with his Mother he saw visuals on TV of my Mother offering me sweets.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 26, 2014
The visuals touched both Nawaz Sharif ji & his Mother. He told me that after seeing the visuals his Mother got very emotional.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 26, 2014
Modi has been sworn in as the 15th prime minister of India by President Mukherjee. Nawaz will hold bilateral talks with Modi on May 27 and will also meet Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.
7:29pm
According to India Today, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will break away from tradition by not meeting any Kashmiri separatist leader during his visit in India.
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7:08pm
Prime Minister Nawaz shook hands with Modi and Mukherjee. Other leaders of South Asia follow, The Hindu reports.
According to the Times of India, the oath ceremony ends at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
President Pranab Mukherjee, vice president, prime minister Narendra Modi, Pak PM Nawaz Sharif...... pic.twitter.com/cpvAdbSNpQ
— Luit Neil Don (@luitneildon) May 26, 2014
Modi and his council of ministers pose for group photos.
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6:59pm
During his stay in New Delhi, Nawaz will also hold separate meetings with his Indian counterpart and Indian President Pranab Mukherjee tomorrow (Tuesday) to discuss bilateral and regional issues, Radio Pakistan reports.
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6:47pm
BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman takes oath and is expected to take charge as Minister with Independent Charge of Commerce.
Sitharaman's inclusion has come as a surprise as she is not even a minister of state yet.
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6:42pm
Former Indian Army Chief General VK Singh takes oath as Minister of State and is likely to be in charge of the Northeast affairs, NDTV reports.
According to NDTV he will also be the junior external affairs minister.
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6:31pm
Smitri Irani, formerly an Indian actress who appeared on popular Indian TV serial Kyun ki Saas bhi kabhi bahu, is the youngest member of cabinet at 38.
Irani is likely to be sworn in as the Human Resource Development (HRD) minister.
Nripendra Misra has been reportedly named as the principal secretary to Modi according to the Times of India.
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6:12pm
Moments after addressing the crowd at the ceremony, Modi updated a message on his official website:
My dear fellow Indians and citizens of the world,
Namaste!
A very warm welcome to the official website of the Prime Minister of India.
On 16th May 2014 the people of India gave their verdict. They delivered a mandate for development, good governance and stability. As we devote ourselves to take India’s development journey to newer heights, we seek your support, blessings and active participation. Together we will script a glorious future for India. Let us together dream of a strong, developed and inclusive India that actively engages with the global community to strengthen the cause of world peace and development.
I envision this website as a very important medium of direct communication between us. I am a firm believer in the power of technology and social media to communicate with people across the world. I hope this platform creates opportunities to listen, learn and share one’s views.
Through this website you will also get all the latest information about my speeches, schedules, foreign visits and lot more. I will also keep informing you about innovative initiatives undertaken by the Government of India.
Yours,
Narendra Modi
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5:55pm
Arun Jaitley takes oath as cabinet member. He is set to become Finance Minister and will also take over the additional charge of Defence.
Jaitley, 61, is one of the top corporate lawyers in the country and has served in a previous BJP administration as commerce minister.
Jaitley had been the only obvious candidate for India's finance minister on a list of cabinet members prepared by Narendra Modi, Reuters had reported earlier.
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5:52pm
BJP president Rajnath Singh takes oath after Modi followed by Cabinet members.
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5:45pm
Modi becomes the 15th Prime Minister of India.
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5:44pm
Modi signs the oath.
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5:42pm
Incoming Indian leader Narendra Modi takes the podium.
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5:40pm
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee arrives for the ceremony as trumpets sound and the crowd stands as the Indian national anthem plays.
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5:36pm
Narendra Modi takes seat next to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh.
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5:30pm
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif shakes hands with Manmohan Singh at the oath-taking ceremony.
The last time a Pakistani leader officially visited India was back in 2005, when former President Pervez Musharraf and Manmohan Singh were working on mending ties.
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5:15pm
Outgoing Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh along with his wife arrives at the ceremony.
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5:10pm
Congress president Sonia Gandhi arrives at the ceremony. Congress won 44 seats in the elections on May 16.
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5:00pm
Best wishes to the new Prime Minister & Government Ministers going to be sworn in today. May they serve India and all our people well!
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 26, 2014
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4:50pm
According to NDTV, Modi’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CSS) will comprise four members, not five. The CSS comprises of the prime minister himself and ministers of Home, External Affairs, Defence and Finance.
Arun Jaitley, senior leader and a close confidant of Modi, is expected to be the Finance and Defence Minister, while BJP president Rajnath Singh is expected to be the Home Minister.
Sushma Swaraj is expected to be named External Affairs Minister.
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4:40pm
For what it's worth I wish Team Modi the very best as they embark on a journey to govern India for the next five years 1/2
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 26, 2014
I hope they hand over a better India to their successors when the time comes to do so. That's the very least we can expect or hope for. 2/2
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 26, 2014
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4:35pm
I am glad & honoured that people from all walks of life will join the swearing in ceremony. I welcome them.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 26, 2014
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4:22pm
Leaders from various South Asian countries are arriving to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Narendra Modi, including the Sri Lankan president Mahendra Rajapaksa and Afghan president Hamid Karzai.
Sri Lankan President Mahendra Rajapaksa waves on his arrival at New Delhi airport. PHOTO: AFP
Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrives in New Delhi. PHOTO: AFP
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3:50pm
In an interview with an Indian television channel, Nawaz says that he is looking forward to his meeting with Modi.
Recalling his meeting with Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the premier said he would like to pick up the thread from where it was left in 1999, Radio Pakistan reported.
Exclusive: Nawaz Sharif to NDTV: "I very much look forward to meeting @narendramodi. Strong mandates on both sides chance to turn the page"
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) May 26, 2014
Exclusive interview with Nawaz Sharif : "We need to convert our similarities into strength. Eager to meet Mr. Modi" pic.twitter.com/dClb5ZiD2I
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) May 26, 2014
Exclusive interview with Nawaz Sharif "Strong mandate on both sides will help us start a new chapter" pic.twitter.com/3zbcdcWsmO
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) May 26, 2014
He also says that ties between the two countries should improve.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (top-C) arrrives at New Delhi airport on May 26, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Policy Sartaj Aziz, Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, PM Principal Secretary Javed Aslam, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry and premier’s son Hussain Nawaz are accompanying Nawaz on his trip.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (C) waves on his arrival at New Delhi airport on May 26, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
Nawaz on May 24 had accepted Modi’s invitation to the swearing-in ceremony – a development welcomed on both sides of the border.
The premier, while speaking to the Indian media, says that better relations with India were the top priority, further stating that he was going to India with a message of peace.
Nawaz also says that “negotiations were the only solution to the problems between the two countries.”
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (C) is welcomed by Indian and Pakistan official on his arrival at New Delhi airport on May 26, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
On May 21, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader invited Nawaz to his swearing-in ceremony following his party’s landslide win in the Lok Sabha election.
This latest gesture is considered significant, considering Modi’s anti-Pakistan rhetoric during his election campaign.
Modi’s invitation has inspired hopes that the change in government will lead to improved relations between the two countries.
Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, to be held at the forecourt of the historic Rashtrapati Bhavan, is likely to be attended by as many as 3,000 guests.
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COMMENTS (42)
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@Dr Priyanka:
Most Pakistanis think Hamid Mir is RAW agent. After reading comments under Barkha Dutt’s tweet, I understand most Indians think she is ISI agent.
@IK: Yup, Keep this picture for your future generation to tell them that this was the only time PAF landed in Delhi with Generals on board. On other occasions, they would not even be allowed to crash land in India, if you know what I mean. :)
@IK: Yup, so keep this picture. This is the only time Pakistani generals can land in India in a Pakistani plane.
@Syed Jalal Kashmiri: So far Allah is helping India. You guys are not praying hard. Read namaz 10 times a day. May be that would help.
@just_someone and I thought you would have that much brains that we don't elect someone our leader or get enamoured on him based on his tweets and online responses.
@IK I guess after losing all Wars to india, thats the one dream one can have and feel proud about right? You guys are so silly. @syed jalal Kashmiri , Kashmiris are very happy in indian side with the meeting. You are either a troll or not from our side of border. And shun the religious specs and see the world will you? More Muslims have been killed by Muslims than any other.
Terrorist and Murderer of Muslims elected as leader of India. Shame on Indian Hindus and fanatics for your hatred against Indian Muslims and Kashmiris. In sha Allah, I pray this will bring all Muslims together to support freedom for my country, Kashmir.
The "non-important issues" that we Pakistanis worry about is mind blowing! There are people concerned about his attire or the cuisine he consumes after the banquets? With stupid queries like that you wonder why the world looks at Pakistanis and shake their head in amazement?
As far as India-Pak relations are concerned, even a hardcore sceptic may have to admit that Mr Nawaz Sharif means good. He deserves praise for that.
@Dr Priyanka: Burka Dutt is a respected jounralist in Pakistan, don't ever compare her to that fraudster Hamid Mir
@ Syeda Kazmi,
Both VK Singh and Rajnath Singh are Rajputs.
If those kind of tweets are the reason Indians are so enamoured by Modi, then the Indian people are less sophisticated than I would have thought.
@SAL all wore Nehru coat except president and Vice President who wore nehru suit (google). Here politicians wear down to earth, rooted mass leader, comman man type cloths. Heavy western suits, make up, tip top hairstyle designer stuff and all send signal of wealth,corruption and elite arrogant ruler attitude as opposed to people's man(simplicity is preferred). Nothing wrong his nawaz cloths chill we dint even notice it. Plus you people are inspired by Jinnah style pro west and western cloths. Here politicians are influenced by freedom fighter and Gandhi's principle of simple living,high thinking - swadeshi cloths.
couldn't he wear our official national dress- Sherwani? Everyone wore there's (look in the pictures). NS does blunder every time.
nothing's better than PAF plan landing in Delhi and Pak Army General coming out of the plane... great sights.
@salman: business. do you think Nawaz Sharif has gone for good will. He has gone to enjoy the lavish cuisine to be served after the ceremony and Hussain is there to finalize business deals. No once cares for peace and Pakistan.
Great step, great admiration and truly the world biggest democracy. Honestly, today is the victory of South East Asia and worst defeat of of all those force who had been created crisis, insecurity and mistrust in the South East Asia. All the agencies, i. e. Pakistan, India, Russia, USA, Iran and their self created non-state actors who had been suffering the entire region for years. Today is the victory of the whole public of South East Asia. If these democracies remain firm as such against those worlds worst and negtive force and soon South East Asia will be the world msot developed, peaceful and happiest place with broader diversity and beauty. Highly appriciate the the entire India for their ever first step in uniting South Asian Countries. This is the day for which generations of generations had given their blood. The United and mutual understanding of entire South East Asia. Great tribute to those and congratulation to the South East Asia for their bright future and being civilized. Long Live South East Asia.
Another Singh ...I have always admired the struggle & achievements of Sikh community, I hope my perception will not take a turn for the worse this time..
@ dr priyanka Burkha dutt is highly corrupt and congress agent as from radia tape scam. She's also pseudo secular and communal any wrong event to Hindus is "event happened" to manoj, shiv but to ijaz,salman is "Muslims" not their names. Highly communal person.
One indian reporter on ary also mentioned that on way to ceremony nawaz also stopped to have a 30 min meeting with a leading steel industrialist. Why not I say? Its always good to mix business with pleasure. Plus govt paid for trip so he made some personal savings there. I'm glad we have a financially minded PM.
At the airports, are Heads of Government supposed to be received by government or political high ups? If so, I don't see anyone of any significant stature receiving NS. What a humiliation!
SHAME on all Pakistanis & Indians with negative feelings as the two heads meet this is a step forward for both countries. If you have a speck of rational joy leave all the nasty things of the past & work towards a peaceful relation as neighbors! The constant drumroll of negativity only pushes you backwards, do not dwell on what has been to what can happen to insure Pakistan-India can be a showcase to us that peace is attainable. Both countries have more in common & to share. END the useless rage & enjoy your differences. We are on this earth for a short period you can chose "happiness" or sink in the despair of "DARKNESS"
Congrads modi to become PM of India
I was impressed by the simplicity of the oath taking ceremony. There was no show off as we have on such occasion. Two or three flowers on the table was the only decoration. We should learn lesson from this. Our prime minister was looking odd man out wearing lounge suit whereas others were in their national dresses
@@umair409: Could not understand what you meant? Hamid Mir is a respected journo. Barkha Dutt should consider herself lucky that she got to interview Mr Sharif. Indians have mixed feelings for her. It appears that around half the time, she speaks for effect, not honestly to convey any message. It's just people's perception of her. I donot know the truth.
Scary times ahead for the region.
Long live the Maoists.
Lets be good neighbours. This goes for both India and Pakistan.
NS is getting fat every passing day
no election rigging tweets!!!!! what type of elections
It would genuinely help to mention who broke those threads.
Nawaz Sharif's participation in the ceremony would definitely prove beneficial for our country
We one to india nawaz sir :) No photo of Bangladesh,Mauritius,Bhutan,nepal PM and family?
So what is hussain nawaz there for? Some people never learn!
Welcome NS. hope this time no kargil misadventure as army nodded for ur visit.
If you are not respected at home, you will never be respected outside.
and there is no notable personality to receive PMNS....
Why does he have to harp about 1999 every time he mentions international/dilpomatic relations or Pakistan in terms of progress. The fact is that we were going nowhere with him back then and we are in the same position 15 years later.
First Apologize Indians for your misadventure in Kargil .
Click on the picture & read comments from Indians. It seems Burkha Dutt is Hamid Mir of india.