Nawaz Sharif likely to accept Modi's invitation to attend swearing-in ceremony

NEW DELHI: In what could signal a major step in improving India-Pak relations, Pakistan's ruling Muslim League (Nawaz) has indicated that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is likely to accept Narendra Modi's invitation to attend the swearing in ceremony on May 26 evening.

While it was so far discussed that Sharif might send his National Security and Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaz Aziz for the swearing-in ceremony due to his scheduled programmes on May 26, Islamabad decided this morning not to let the opportunity slip away when Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa are likely to attend the event.

Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) spokesperson Siddiqul Farooq told ET from Pakistan: "Mr Nawaz Sharif may attend the event to reciprocate the gesture shown by the incoming government of India. If the PM visits Delhi he will tell Mr Modi to assure him of his cooperation to improve ties."

A formal announcement on Sharif's visit is expected later in the day.

On Wednesday Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh had all seven SAARC leaders to attend the swearing in at the behest of the PM-designate. Besides Rajapaksa and Karzai, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom are expected to attend the ceremony.

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, however, will be in Japan on official visit and would depute Parliament Speaker Shirin Chowdhury to attend the ceremony. Other Ministers from Hasina cabinet are also expected to attend.