Sharif, other SAARC leaders arrive for Modi swearing-in

New Delhi, May 26 (IANS) Leaders of neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, arrived in the national capital Monday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi here later in the evening.

Among the SAARC dignitaries who have arrived are Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala.

Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam also arrived in the morning.

Sharif waved to the media persons as he walked across the tarmac of Delhi's airport.

Before leaving Lahore for New Delhi, Sharif told reporters: "I'm carrying the message of peace and will discuss all matters with the Indian leadership. Dialogue process is the only way to resolve bilateral issues. Forging cordial relations with all neighbours, including India, is foremost priority of Pakistan."

Sharif is accompanied by Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz and other top officials.

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan and Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury arrived Sunday.

Abdulla Yameen, President of the Maldives, also reached Delhi for Modi's swearing-in ceremony, which will be held at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan or the Presidential Palace.

"All eight dignitaries have arrived here. They have reached their respective hotels," a senior police official told IANS.

Sharif is staying at Taj Mansingh, while the nearby Taj Palace will play host to the Sri Lankan and the Maldivian presidents.

The Bangladesh parliament speaker - the first guest to arrive for the ceremony and deputising for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina - and Nepal prime minister are staying at the ITC Maurya.

Karzai and the Mauritius prime minister are staying at the Oberoi, while the Leela Palace will play host to the Bhutan prime minister.

After the swearing-in ceremony, they will attend the banquet hosted in their honour by President Pranab Mukherjee.

On Tuesday, the leaders will hold one-to-one meetings with Modi at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

After the bilateral meetings, they will leave for their respective countries, except for the Nepal prime minister, who leaves Wednesday.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made, with snipers and para-troopers taking up position in and around the five-star hotels where the leaders are staying.