Modi sends new year wishes to South Asian leaders, skips Pakistan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 1

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called up leaders of neighbouring South Asian countries but not Pakistan to wish them a happy new year as well as discuss with them further steps in bilateral ties.

The PM spoke with leaders of Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

In all his telephone calls, he emphasised India’s commitment to ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the vision of shared peace, security, prosperity and progress for all of India’s friends and partners in the region, said an official news release.

In conversation with the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the prime minister emphasised the need to enhance youth exchanges and said he was looking forward to forthcoming visit of the King to India.

He also spoke with Bhutanese PM Lotay Tshering.

PM Modi had a similar double-header conversation with Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and PM Mahinda Rajapaksa in which both sides reiterated their commitment to further expand cooperation.

With Maldives President Ibrahim Solih, PM Modi wished Maldives success in its endeavour for development.

PM Modi congratulated Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on her re-election as the president of the Awami League for the next three years.

He also expressed his condolence on the demise of former High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India Syed Muazzem Ali.

In his conversation with Nepal PM KP Oli, the PM specifically noted the completion of Motihari (India)-Amlekhgunj (Nepal) petroleum products pipeline in a record time. Both the leaders also agreed for an early inauguration of the Integrated Check Post in Biratnagar and the housing reconstruction project in Nepal through video conference.