Context:
India’s neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region countries participated in the Prime Minister of India’s swearing-in ceremony.
More on the News
- The Prime Minister’s swearing-in ceremony was held on June 9 and heads of state of Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and three island states, Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles were present for the ceremony.
- Narendra Modi was sworn in as prime minister for the third consecutive term, along with his 71 ministers.
- In the new coalition government, besides the Prime Minister, 30 Cabinet Ministers, five Ministers of State (Independent Charge) and 36 Ministers of State were administered the oath of secrecy and office by the President.
- Narendra Modi became the first person after former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to be elected as PM for the third consecutive term.
Significance of invitation to Neighbour countries
- It underlines India’s expanding vision of the idea of region in line with Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)
- From the perspective of India’s maritime security architecture, it underlines a strategy to counterbalance China’s aggressive footprints in the region.
- It is a reiteration of the contours of subregional diplomacy that speak of both strategic pragmatism and moral exceptionalism.
- India’s engagement with each of the island states, along with Sri Lanka, marks the scripting of its own pearl of string strategy.
Engagement with Island Nations
- India’s Neighbourhood First policy, and SAGAR doctrine, clearly underline that India is no longer bound by the template of territorial boundaries of South Asia.
Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) is India’s strategic vision for the Indian Ocean which was unveiled in 2015. - Bilateral engagement gives better leverage and helps counterbalance pro-China moves by any one of the maritime partners.
- Maldives, particularly, remains a key strategic hook in India’s vision of its maritime security architecture. So, the move to invite President Muizzu is strategic, more so as this will be the first visit of President Muizzu to India.
- Mauritius has been a focus of renewed diplomatic efforts, especially regarding Agalega island. India’s upgraded airstrip on Agalega allows the Indian Navy to operate P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft, which is strategically important.