Modi sworn in as prime minister of India

26 May 2014, 17:00 -- 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 after a historic election victory that gave his party the first parliamentary majority in 30 years and ended two terms of rule by the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty.

'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 inauguration a 'great opportunity' - Pakistan PM

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the inauguration of Narendra Modi as his Indian counterpart Monday was a 'great opportunity' for the two nuclear neighbours to open a new chapter in relations, AFP reports.

'It is a great moment and a great opportunity,' Sharif, who is in New Delhi as a guest for the swearing-in ceremony, told the NDTV network.

'This is a chance to reach out to each other. Both governments have a strong mandate,' he added, according to a transcript provided by the Pakistan High Commission. 'This could help in turning a new page in our relations.'

Sharif is the first Pakistani prime minister to attend the inauguration of an Indian leader since the creation of the two countries in 1947 after the end of British colonial rule.

The two countries have since fought three wars and remain bitterly divided over the disputed region of Kashmir.

But Sharif, who is to hold bilateral talks with Modi on Tuesday, said that the neighbours should use their common heritage to help overcome their differences.

'No two nations have ever possessed so much of cultural and traditional similarities as India and Pakistan. Why not turn the similarities into our strength?' said Sharif.

'We should remove fears, mistrust and misgivings about each other.

'Both countries should rid the region of instability and security that has plagued us for decades.'

Source: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_05_26/Modi- sworn-in-as-prime-minister-of-India-1476/