Inviting SAARC leaders sent out a message to world: Modi

He referred to his initiative of inviting leaders of SAARC countries for the swearing-in of his Council of Ministers on May 26 and said it was a means to “give out a message to the world. They are still talking about it as to what happened, how it happened. This shows how much big results a right decision taken at the right time can bring.”

The invitation to the SAARC leaders, including Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, provided an opportunity for Modi to establish contact with them.

With Pakistan particularly, it was seen as an ice-breaker in the ties and a step that could pave the way for taking the relationship forward.

Addressing the gathering in the presence of BJP President and Home Minister Rajnath Singh and some other leaders, he said the big mandate the party got in the recent Lok Sabha election was a “vote for hope”.

It was a “turning point” which can influence the 21st century, Modi said on the poll results while noting that all traditional castes, religious and other political equations were ignored by voters who chose the politics of hope and aspirations above every thing.