Modi sworn in as India\\\'s 15th PM

NEW DELHI, May 26 (Agencies):  Narendra Modi promised to forge a "strong and inclusive" India Monday after being sworn in as the 15th prime minister of the world's largest democracy.

Ten days after his right-wing party won the first electoral majority in three decades, the 63-year-old former tea boy took the oath of office at a lavish ceremony attended by leaders of India's neighbours, including Pakistan.

"I, Narendra Damodardas Modi, do swear in the name of God that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established," Modi said at the ceremony conducted by President Pranab Mukherjee.

"I swear that I will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India and I swear that I will faithfully and conscientiously discharge my duties as prime minister of the Union."

Modi, leader of the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has a reputation as a hardline Hindu nationalist. But in a statement released as he took the oath, he promised to govern for all of India's 1.25 billion people.

"As we devote ourselves to take India's development journey to newer heights, we seek your support, blessings and active participation," Modi said in the statement on the prime minister's website.

"Together we will script a glorious future for India," he added.

"Let us together dream of a strong, developed and inclusive India that actively engages with the global community to strengthen the cause of world peace and development."

After Modi took the oath of office, senior BJP figures who have been appointed to his cabinet were sworn into office.

Senior BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, Nitin Gadkari, Najma Heptullah and Uma Bharti were also sworn in as ministers, although they are yet to be allocated their ministries.

Monday's grand outdoor ceremony was attended by the leaders of all seven South Asian countries as well as Mauritius.

But all eyes were on the

presence of Mr Sharif, who is expected to hold bilateral talks with Mr Modi Tuesday.

The two nuclear-armed rivals have fought three wars in the past 60 years, and Mr Modi's BJP party advocates a tough stance on Pakistan.

In an interview shortly before the inauguration, Sharif said Modi's arrival in power represented "a great opportunity" for the nuclear-armed rivals to forge a new era in their troubled relationship.

Besides Mr Sharif, other regional leaders attending the ceremony included Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Nepal's Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and Maldives' President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Bangladesh was represented by Speaker Shirin Chaudhury as PM Sheikh Hasina is visiting Japan, reports say.

Tight security and traffic restrictions have been imposed in Delhi and all offices around the presidential palace were closed five hours before the event, according to the Press Trust of India.