Obama vows to work with new Modi government

As Narendra Modi became the new Indian prime minister, President Barack Obama congratulated him and vowed to work closely together with his government to "strengthen and expand the US-India strategic partnership".

The two leaders agreed in their call after the election that "India and the US share a deep bond and commitment to promoting economic opportunity, freedom, and security for our people and around the world", the White House said in a statement.

The White House statement on the new Indian government read:

"President Obama congratulates Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and the new Indian government on their swearing-in today.

"As the President and Prime Minister agreed in their call after the election, as the world's two largest democracies, India and the United States share a deep bond and commitment to promoting economic opportunity, freedom, and security for our people and around the world.

"We look forward to working closely together with the new government to continue to strengthen and expand the US-India strategic partnership for years to come."