Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding bilateral discussions with leaders of SAARC nations in New Delhi today. He met Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay this morning.

Mr Modi will also have meetings with his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, and Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury this afternoon.

According to official sources, Prime Minister’s interaction with the foreign leaders will be brief but give the first indication of the new government’s thinking on its relations with the neighbouring countries. Later, the visiting dignitaries will also call on President Pranab Mukherjee.

Earlier, the Prime Minister held meetings with senior officials in the Ministry of External Affairs who briefed him about his bilateral meetings with heads of states and governments of SAARC countries.