By inviting heads of Government of SAARC countries for his oath-taking ceremony as Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi has made the right beginning at having cordial relations with our neighbours.
While most other leaders conveyed their acceptance almost immediately, Pakistan's Prime Minister took time, but he too confirmed participation in the ceremony. One does hopes that India and Pakistan move forward in bilateral relations. But much depends on how Islamabad responds to anti-India elements that flourish in Pakistan.
We have to see how Mr Modi tackles the other two national issues that adversely affect India's security environment. The first is China's belligerence over territory that is part of India but claimed by Beijing as disputed. There have been many intrusions by the Chinese forces into such areas, and the new regime must send out a strong message that this must stop. The influx into India of illegal migrants from Bangladesh is the other contentious matter.