NEW DELHI - Narendra Modi was sworn in as India’s prime minister on Sunday for a third term, after a shock poll setback that will test his ability to ensure policy certainty in a coalition government in the world’s most populous nation. “Honoured to serve Bharat,” Modi posted on X, minutes before he was sworn in, referring to India’s name in Indian languages. Supporters cheered, clapped and chanted “Modi, Modi” as the name of the 73-year old leader, dressed in a white kurta tunic and blue half jacket, was called to take his oath. Modi was followed by senior ministers in the previous government: Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Piyush Goyal, among others. When Modi was the chief minister of the western state of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, BJP enjoyed strong majorities, allowing him to govern decisively.

Source: The Nation June 10, 2024 04:11 UTC