Modi takes oath to become Indian PM for a third term

But power base weakened as he heads coalition after election

- SHWETA SHARMA

Narendra Modi took the oath of office yesterday to become India's prime minister for a third consecutive term, extending his leadership for the next five years albeit with a diminished grip on power after an electoral setback.

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of Mr Modi, followed by the swearing-in of top federal ministers at the presidential palace in the capital Delhi. Thousands of guests, including foreign heads of countries from seven of India’s neighbourhoods and top Bollywood celebrities, marked their presence at the ceremony in Delhi.

Maldives president Mohamed Muizzu, Sri Lanka’s Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina were among the leaders who took the front seats after landing in Delhi yesterday. Nepal’s prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Bhutan’s leader Tshering Tobgay and prime minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth, were also welcomed in Delhi.

Mr Modi’s swearing-in ceremony marks the beginning of his third five-year term, making him the second prime minister in India after Jawaharlal Nehru to lead the country for three consecutive terms. “Honoured to serve Bharat,” Mr Modi posted on X/Twitter, minutes before he was sworn in, referring to India’s name in Indian languages.