US lauds invite to SAARC leaders for Modi's inauguration

"We don't have any plans to send a representative from the United States. It's standard for events and inaugurations in India, so it should come as no surprise," Psaki said, referring to the fact that the US has never sent any delegation for Indian prime ministerial swearing-in ceremonies.

For the first time, SAARC Heads of State and Government including Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Bangladesh Premier Sheikh Hasina have been invited to the swearing-in ceremony.

"Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh has written to SAARC counterparts inviting their leaders to attend swearing-in ceremony on 26th May," the spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry said today.

Apart from Sharif, Rajapaksa and Hasina, the other SAARC leaders are -Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

This is the first time SAARC leaders have been invited to an Indian prime minister's swearing-in ceremony.