New Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said the mandate for the Congress-led coalition was for change and 'strengthening the secular foundation of our republic' and carry forward the process of social and economic change, which benefits the poorer sections.

Singh told reporters soon after being sworn in, "We have a development strategy to empower our people to realise their vast latent potential…"

He said India was a country of great diversity and this Cabinet reflected that diversity much more effectively than many of its predecessors.

"This mandate is for change for strengthening the secular foundation of our Republic to carry forward the process of social and economic change which benefits the poorer sections of our community particularly our farmers and workers. We will ensure that we have a development strategy to empower our people to realise their vast latent potential," he said.

Singh was accompanied by his wife Gursharan Kaur and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi soon after he, along with his other Cabinet colleagues, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by President A P J Abdul Kalam.