'Humbled': How international media reported on Modi 3.0 oath-taking

Narendra Modi was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India for a historic third consecutive term on Sunday, along with 72 ministers who are yet to be assigned their duties.

The 73-year-old Indian leader equalled the feat of the first PM Jawaharlal Nehru, who was elected for the third term in a row.

Notably, this will be the first time, PM Modi will share power with his allies since he came to power in 2014.

While the Lok Sabha elections turned global eyes towards India, Modi’s victory was described as a “shock” and a “stunning setback” for him and his party.

Here’s how the international media covered the swearing-in ceremony of the Indian leader.

American media

The Washington Post

The outlet, which earlier labelled India’s 2024 Lok Sabha election results as a “stunning setback” for Modi and his party, said, “Narendra Modi was sworn in Sunday for a third five-year term as India’s prime minister after shock election results forced him to seek help from coalition partners to form a government.”

The New York Times

The NYT reported, “As a humbled Narendra Modi was sworn in on Sunday for a third term as India’s prime minister, the political air in New Delhi appeared transformed.”

“To many, Mr Modi’s shift in approach can mean only good things for the country’s democracy – a move toward moderation in a hugely diverse nation that was being whipped into a Hindu-first monolith in the image of one man,” it added.

Bloomberg

Bloomberg recorded the splendour of the swearing-in ceremony, which had 8,000 attendees, including Bollywood stars, business moguls, and international heads of state.

It mentioned that this is the first time Prime Minister Modi will be sharing his power and extending his leadership.

British media

The Guardian

Describing Modi as “India’s strongman leader,” The Guardian’s coverage looked at the socio-political background of the 73-year-old’s third term in office.

It included political analysts’ opinions on the consequences for India’s secularism and democracy.

The report covered Modi’s previous terms and how his policies affected the country’s reputation both at home and abroad.

The Guardian outlined Modi’s obstacles, which include leading a diverse coalition and implementing economic reforms.

BBC

The BBC reported on the event without analysts offering their opinions on Modi 3.0 or the election outcomes.

Modi’s speech outlining his vision for India’s future and the difficulties it faces was mentioned in the report.

The significant security measures implemented due to the enormous number of attendees were also mentioned.

However, it pointed out that in an election that saw a “resurgence of India’s opposition,” which won 234 seats, the ruling alliance won by a smaller margin than anticipated by the exit polls.

European media

AFP

Everything from the arrangements to the coalition partners, whose backing was essential to the government’s establishment, was detailed in general by the French news agency AFP.

It stated that the larger coalition parties have requested significant concessions in exchange for their support, even if the specifics of the new cabinet are yet unknown.

“Flanked by top BJP officials and party leaders of his coalition, Modi vowed in a ceremony marking his formal assumption of pow­er to “bear true allegiance to the constitution of India’,” the agency wrote.

DW

The German outlet reported that the Indian PM’s oath-taking, while mentioning that the country’s election results “unexpectedly left him reliant on coalition partners to form a government.”

Noting the absence of “rival neighbours China and Pakistan leaders” from the ceremony, the report mentioned Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina and Sri Lanka president Ranil Wickremesinghe’s presence among those of Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives.

Qatar media

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera highlighted compliments from world leaders like Russian president Vladimir Putin and US president Joe Biden as they covered the response to Modi’s oath-taking.

It covered Modi’s leadership style, and how his policies are viewed internationally, and highlighted India’s efforts to fortify regional ties by mentioning the attendance of SAARC leaders.

According to the publication, the BJP’s capacity to guarantee policy certainty in a coalition administration will be put to the test by the lack of a majority.

It mentioned the difficulties the partnership would have from Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu, two coalition era veterans who “have friends across the aisle” and “opposition will be wooing them.”

With inputs from agencies