Modi’s remarks came during a two-day debate on the President's address to both houses of Parliament, where he also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, describing him as displaying "balak buddhi" (childish behaviour).

The cordial gesture occurred just before they escorted Om Birla to the Speaker’s Chair following his election as the Speaker of the Lower House.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took his oath in Hindi amid slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” from the treasury benches.

In the previous two Lok Sabhas, the largest opposition party Congress could not get the post as it did not have the requisite numbers, which is one-tenth of the strength of the House.  In the 16th Lok Sabha, the Congress had 44 MPs, while in the 17th Lok Sabha, it had 55.

The session will begin in the third week of June with the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected members of Parliament, expected to extend over two days.