“I will do right to all manner of people in accordance with the constitution and the law without fear or favour.”
With these words, Narendra Modi embarked on his third term, becoming only the second Indian Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru to do so. The swearing in ceremony at the impressive forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan also saw 72 others take the oath of office: they included 30 cabinet ministers, five ministers of state with independent charge and 36 ministers of state.
Million dollar question: who gets which ministry. The buzz is Jaishankar will return to External Affairs and probably Rajnath Singh to Defence. But even that could be speculation.
Key leaders from the neighbourhood were there to meet, greet and congratulate Modi on his third innings. Among them, and possibly the most important, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh. She is due to make a formal bilateral visit to India soon.
Also present was Mohammad Muizzu, Malldives’ president who seems to be toning down his rather over the top declarations about China while running India down. Somewhere Muizzu may have realised he was cutting his nose to spite his own face. The course of bilateral relations need to be closely watched.
Bhutan’s newly elected Prime Minister Tsering Tobgay was there in his striking ethnic attire. Thimphu is banking on India forking up the money for its ambitious plan to make Gelephu, a sleepy town on the Assam border, into a bustling regional economic hub.
Bhutan also needs Indian support to stave off pressure from China, whether of the diplomatic variety or othewise.
Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda was there for the swearing-in. He was here almost exactly a year ago after taking over the top political job in Kathmandu.
Among other friends of India were Sri Lanka’s Ranil Wickeramasinghe and Pravin Jugnauth of Mauritius.
On Monday, Modi and his cabinet get down to the business of running this country. It’s something they are familiar with but the election result has exposed deficits and chinks in their delivery. They will have to make good while ensuring allies are kept in good humour.
