Rashid Alvi backs Modi's decision to invite SAARC leaders

This is the first time that the heads of states of SAARC nations have been invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Indian Prime Minister.

Prime Minister of Bhutan Lyonchen Tshering Tobgay and Bangladesh Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury arrived here today to attend the swearing-in ceremony tomorrow.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom will be among the foreign dignitaries attending the function in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Nearly 3,000 people have been invited for it.

A host of leaders, including outgoing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi, besides leaders of various other parties and chief ministers of a number of states will also be attending the ceremony.