Narendra Modi on Monday took the oath of office as India's 15th prime minister in a high-profile ceremony attended by top leaders of neighbour countries.
Dressed in a white full sleeve kurta, a beige waistcoat and a white
pajama, Modi arrived at Rashtrapati Bhawan for the event around 6pm.
Modi promised to forge a "strong and inclusive" India after being sworn in.
Modi promised to forge a "strong and inclusive" India after being sworn in.
"As we devote ourselves to take India's development journey to newer
heights, we seek your support, blessings and active participation," Modi
said in a statement published on the prime minister's website.
"Together we will script a glorious future for India," added the 63-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader.
"Let us together dream of a strong, developed and inclusive India
that actively engages with the global community to strengthen the cause f
world peace and development."
A day after the PM designate's office indicated a smaller size of the
next government and clubbing of ministries for smarter governance, a
total of 44 ministers excluding Modi will also be sworn in, according to
sources.
There would be 24 cabinet ministers comprising former BJP president
Nitin Gadkari, Rajnath Singh and Venkaiah Naidu, senior party leaders
Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, LJP's Ramvilas Paswan, Delhi BJP chief
Harsh Vardhan and former union minister Maneka Gandhi, sources added.
HT