Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to the media after meeting with the President to stake claim to form the government in New Delhi, India, Saturday, May 25, 2019. (Manish Swarup/Associated Press)NEW DELHI — India’s president on Saturday appointed Narendra Modi as the prime minister, soon after newly elected lawmakers led by Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party chose him as their leader following a thunderous victory in national elections. President Ram Nath Kovind said in a tweet that he also asked Modi to forward the names of those to be appointed as ministers in his government, and the date for swearing-in for his second five-year term as prime minister. Modi and some leaders of his alliance met the president earlier on Saturday. Modi effectively used the incident as a major campaign tool after responding to the attack with an airstrike in Pakistan that triggered nationalist sentiments, with the BJP saying Modi is the right person to ensure India’s national security.

Source: Washington Post May 26, 2019 03:11 UTC