Modi's Invitations to South Asian Leaders a Strong Signal: U.S.

WASHINGTON: Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's invitations to the leaders of South Asian countries including Pakistan to attend his swearing-in ceremony sends a strong and positive signal, a top American diplomat has said.

"I certainly think that having the regional leaders come (for the swearing-in ceremony) is a strong and positive signal. Beyond that I think, it is really for India and its neighbors to react and respond to," Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Nisha Desai Biswal, said.

"I certainly think that it is for the Prime Minister- designate to make the decision and the determination as to what kind of swearing-in (he wants)," she added.

Biswal told a select group of Indian journalists in a media roundtable that the Obama Administration will give the new Indian government the necessary "time and the space" to decide on their own course and then engage with New Delhi on that basis.

"We are very excited about the very strong mandate that the Indian election has turned out. We are looking forward to working very closely with the Prime Minister-designate Modi and his team on what we see a shared agenda for security and prosperity throughout the region and we think that there is tremendous scope for this relationship which has grown so much over the years," she said.