Tight security was being put in place on Sunday for the swearing-in of Narendra Modi as India’s 14th prime minister, to be attended by leaders of neighbouring countries including Pakistan and Afghanistan.

At least 3,000 guests were expected at Monday’s ceremony in the forecourt of India’s presidential palace in the capital, according to sources from Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, which won a landslide victory in the general elections.

Guests include Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, politicians and a host of ministers.

Film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan and Rajnikanth, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and business leader Ratan Tata were also among the invitees.

Modi is expected to be sworn in along with a small group of cabinet ministers whose names have not yet been announced.

Police and soldiers were preparing a multi-layered security ring, police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said. The air force will also have an air-defence system in place, allowing no aircraft to fly over the area. Snipers were being positioned high-rise buildings, CNN-IBN news channel reported.

All Government offices located on streets leading to the palace were to be closed. The ceremony is scheduled for 6 pm.

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