India's Modi appointed as premier for 2nd term

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, or BJP, chose him as their leader following a thunderous victory in national elections, The Associated Press reported.

"Exercising powers vested in him under Article 75(1) of the Constitution of India, President Kovind on Saturday appointed Narendra Modi to the office of Prime Minister of India," said the official Twitter account of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind.

The president 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.