Modi sworn in as Indian PM

Narendra Modi was sworn in Monday as India\'s 15th prime minister at an inauguration ceremony in the capital New Delhi attended by regional leaders. \"I, Narendra Damodardas Modi, swear in the name of God that I will maintain the integrity of India,\" Modi said in Hindi at the ceremony. \"I will work without fear, anger or hatred and will do justice to all as per the codes of the constitution.\"
Modi promised to forge a \"strong and inclusive\" India in a statement published on the prime minister\'s website. \"As we devote ourselves to take India\'s development journey to newer heights, we seek your support, blessings and active participation,\" he said.
\"Together we will script a glorious future for India,\" added the 63-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, who has an image as a hardline Hindu nationalist.
\"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.\"
Among the almost 4000 guests gathered in the forecourt of the presidential palace, are leaders of eight neighbouring countries, including Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is seated next to Mr Modi’s predecessor, Manmohan Singh. On Dr Singh’s other side is Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan.
Mr Modi’s 95-year-old mother Hiraben could not make it to Delhi and watched her son being sworn in as Prime Minister on television at her home in Gandhinagar.
Mr Modi promised that he would head a lean Cabinet with a focus on “minimum government and maximum governance”. He is expected to merge and restructure several ministries, according to AFP/NDTV.