President Biden experienced a moment of confusion during a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, appearing to forget where he was and who he was introducing. This incident follows criticism of First Lady Jill Biden taking the lead in a recent Cabinet meeting, sparking debate about her influence within the administration.
King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia chaired a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, marking his first appearance since a royal decree in August allowed the cabinet to convene without the king or crown prince. The king had received medical care for lung inflammation in May, prompting concern for his health.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s newly formed cabinet held its first meeting on Monday following the swearing-in ceremony on Sunday. The council of 71 ministers includes several familiar faces from Modi’s previous cabinets as well as new additions. The allocation of portfolios is yet to be announced, but key ministers such as Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman, and S Jaishankar are expected to retain their current roles. The first cabinet meeting focused on discussing the upcoming agenda and setting priorities for the new government. The cabinet also includes seven women, with two holding cabinet positions. The representation of allies in the government remains significant, with 11 posts going to coalition partners in exchange for their support. Notable omissions from the cabinet include Anurag Thakur and Smriti Irani. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including President Droupadi Murmu, who administered the oaths of office and secrecy. Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of stability and resolution in his first address to officials at the Prime Minister’s Office.
