Pakistan PM House spokesperson confirmed that Sharif will be visiting New Delhi following Modi's invite. Pakistan foreign minister Sartaz Aziz would accompany Sharif during the visit.

The Pakistani premier's attendance will be a first in the history of the nuclear-armed neighbour countries.

Sharif's decision comes after days of speculations following New Delhi's invite. ​ However, there are less chances of the two leaders engaging in bilateral talks as suggested by Tariq Azeem, advisor the Pak PM. Azeem told Times Now: "Don't expect discussions on any big issues."

riday's pre-dawn attack on the Indian consulate by Taliban in Herat in western Afghanistan, just three days before Narendra Modi's swearing in, underscored the extremely tough task for Modi as he opens up a new channel of communication with the Nawaz Sharif government in Pakistan.

The attack came just days after Modi invited all Saarc leaders, including Sharif. ​

Sharif had telephoned Modi to congratulate him on his party's election victory and invited him to visit Pakistan after assuming office.

Other key Saarc leaders, Sri Lankan President President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom have confirmed that they will attend the ceremony.