The Vice President of Seychelles, Ahmed Afif, arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi, scheduled for Sunday. He was welcomed at the airport by Secretary (CPV & OIA), Muktesh Pardeshi.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, commented on X, “Warm welcome to VP Ahmed Afif of Seychelles as he arrives in New Delhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony of PM @narendramodi and Council of Ministers.” He added that Afif’s visit would enhance the momentum of bilateral relations.
Earlier, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in Delhi, being the first distinguished foreign guest to arrive for the ceremony. Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X, “First distinguished guest sets foot in New Delhi for the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh was warmly received by Secy (CPV & OIA) @mukteshpardeshi as she arrived in New Delhi. This visit of one of our most valued partners will further strengthen – close and deep-rooted bonds of friendship.”
Prime Minister Modi is set to be sworn in for his third consecutive term, as confirmed by the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. Members of his council of ministers will also take their oaths on the same day.
Several leaders and heads of state from the neighboring and Indian Ocean regions have been invited as distinguished guests for the swearing-in ceremony, reflecting India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, “President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe; President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu; Vice-President of Seychelles, Ahmed Afif; Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina; Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth; Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’; and Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, have accepted the invitation to attend.”
The MEA also noted that besides attending the swearing-in ceremony, these leaders will join a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan later in the evening.