Anadolu Agency via Getty ImagesISLAMABAD/KARACHI — Pakistan has tried to downplay India’s decision not to invite Imran Khan for Narendra Modi’s swearing-in on Thursday, claiming that the Indian Prime Minister’s “internal politics” does not permit him to extend an invitation to his Pakistani counterpart. The government on Monday announced in New Delhi that it has invited leaders from BIMSTEC countries to Prime Minister Modi’s inauguration, leaving out Pakistan, which is not a part of the seven-member regional grouping. The BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) comprises Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal. “His (Prime Minister Modi’s) entire focus (during the election campaign) was on Pakistan-bashing. In 2014, then Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif had attended Prime Minister Modi’s swearing-in held on May 26 in New Delhi when the leaders of SAARC countries were invited.

Source: Huffington Post May 28, 2019 07:30 UTC