Amid the splendour of the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the top-ranked diplomats of various countries felt privileged on Sunday to be a witness to the grand finale of India's spectacular election process at the historic swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Deeply honoured, Naor Gilon, the Ambassador of Israel to India, called it the peak of a remarkable electoral journey in the world's largest democracy, wishing the new government great success in leading India towards more accomplishments and asserting Israel's solidarity with India.
The ambassador had earlier said that India conducting the world's biggest democratic exercise was a victory for democracy, while taking to his social media platform with many images and videos from the same event.
Simon Wing, the High Commissioner of Singapore to India, shared his moment with the flags of the two countries before he goes in to attend the swearing-in ceremony with prayers for more peace and prosperit calls to mind the voice of the Indian populace.
Freddy Svane, Ambassador of Denmark to India, on his part, recalled how he had attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony for the first time in 2014. He said he was ready for the next ceremony in 2024 to underline at the very outset the essence of historical continuity.
May-Elin Stener, Norway's Ambassador to India, while congratulating India for completing the world's largest democratic exercise, underlined Norway's commitment to building robust bilateral relations in sectors of blue economy, energy, trade, and environment.
Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, described it as an "honour" to be present at the swearing-in ceremony.
Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu were all present at the event marking the third successive swearing-in of Prime Minister Modi. Seychelles Vice-President Ahmed Afif, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda,' and Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay were other dignitaries who attended the ceremony where President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office and secrecy to PM Modi and the Council of Ministers.
The dignitaries attending the ceremony will later be hosted at a banquet by President Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan over lunch and snacks, through which they will further solidify their ties and regional cooperation.
