I have not been invited to the swearing-in, so I'll be watching the India vs Pakistan match: Shashi Tharoor

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said that he was not invited for Narendra Modi’s swearing in ceremony on June 9. He jokingly said he would be watching the India vs Pakistan match instead, which will be played around the same time as the oath taking ceremony. "I have not been invited to the swearing-in, so I'll be watching the (India vs Pakistan) match," he said.

Talking about the tradition of calling foreign leaders for the ceremony, Tharoor said, I think that's a good tradition of inviting the neighbouring countries.”



However, he pointed out that the Pakistan's Prime Minister was not invited. “But this time there's one less. He has not invited Pakistan. So again, that also sends a signal,” he said.


The former Minsiter of State External Affaris talked about Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu attending the event. “It is good that Maldives is at least making an effort to come here and speak. They have not been particularly friendly or receptive to our interests for some time now and this particular president (Muizzu) is coming here for the first time so let’s see how that occasion goes. I am assuming the meeting will be taken advantage of for some talks on the side as well,” said Tharoor.

AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal said that no leader from the Congress party was invited for the swearing-in ceremony. "So far we (Congress leaders) have not received any information from the government. We have not received any invitation. Foreign leaders have been invited. Despite Congress being the principal opposition party and the INDIA bloc's leading party, we have not been informed. I do not know what the mood of the government is," he said.