NEW DELHI - Narendra Modi was Monday sworn in as India's new prime minister in a grand ceremony attended by his counterpart from arch-rival Pakistan, among heads of state of other South Asian nations.

The 63-year-old hardline Hindu nationalist leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was administered the oath of office as the country's 15th prime minister by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the latter's official residence) in the national capital.

BJP president Rajnath Singh was also sworn in, along with top leaders like Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj, who will get the top four ministries like home, finance, defense and external affairs, along with the prime minister.

The swearing-in of other ministers are currently undergoing.