New Delhi: Congratulations roll in for prime minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader, Narendra Modi, from countries like Italy, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, after a rollercoaster Lok Sabha election, in which the party fell short of the majority mark (272 seats), but the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the BJP managed to bag more than 50 percent seats.
However, heavyweights on the global stage like the US and Russia are yet to officially congratulate Modi, with the likelihood that they are expecting more clarity on the formation of the government for the next term.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who continues to fight a war with Russia, extended congratulations to Modi, wishing for “continued cooperation” between New Delhi and Kyiv.
India, which enjoys strong ties with Moscow, is expected to attend the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland later this month, though the level of participation is unclear.
Meanwhile, Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu also chimed in, saying “Badhaai Ho!” to the Modi government.
Though Chinese President Xi Jinping has remained quiet, the country’s foreign ministry reportedly wished Modi in a press conference, and called for “healthy” and “stable” bilateral relations, at at time when the two countries remain engaged in a tense border standoff.
New Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te also congratulated Modi, saying that Taiwan looks forward to “enhancing” its partnership with India, and “expand collaboration” on trade and technology.
Iran’s interim president Mohammad Mokhber also offered felicitations, saying that under Modi, India has become a major partner to Tehran.
Japan, a Quad partner to India, is also on the list with PM Fumio Kishida offering a congratulatory message to Modi, emphasising the need for both countries to realise a “free and open” Indo-Pacific.
Meanwhile, Washington DC is waiting for more clarification. The US State Department said, in a press briefing Tuesday night, that the Biden administration is waiting for the final election results.
When asked about the claims of alleged Western influence in India’s elections, the department said, “We always will express our views clearly and openly. We express them with foreign governments privately, and when we see – have things that we are concerned about, we also express them publicly.”
The BJP, which bagged 240 seats — 32 less than the threshold required for a majority — in the Lok Sabha, is currently in talks with key coalition partners, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United).
The first world leader to congratulate Modi was the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, followed by Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, who said, in a post on X Tuesday, that he hoped Modi would continue to lead “Bharat to great heights”.
Italy is so far the only G7 country to have weighed in. “Congratulations to Narendra Modi on the new electoral victory and my warmest wishes for good work,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on X.
“Certain that we will continue to work together to strengthen the friendship that unites Italy and India, and consolidate cooperation on the various issues that bind us, for the well-being of our Nations and our peoples,” she added.
Congratulazioni a @narendramodi per la nuova vittoria elettorale e i miei auguri più affettuosi di buon lavoro. Certa che continueremo a lavorare insieme per rafforzare l'amicizia che unisce Italia e India e consolidare la cooperazione sui diversi temi che ci legano, per il… pic.twitter.com/v5XJAqkwOz
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) June 4, 2024
Messages from leaders in neighbouring Singapore and Nepal have also poured in.
Despite an ongoing diplomatic row between India and the archipelago nation of Maldives, pro-China leader Mohammed Muizzu extended warm wishes to Modi.
“Congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP and BJP-led NDA, on the success in the 2024 Indian General Election, for the third consecutive term. I look forward to working together to advance our shared interests in pursuit of shared prosperity and stability for our two countries,” he posted on X.
Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi, and the BJP and BJP-led NDA, on the success in the 2024 Indian General Election, for the third consecutive term.
I look forward to working together to advance our shared interests in pursuit of shared prosperity and stability for…
— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) June 4, 2024
Muizzu won the Maldivian presidency last year after running an ‘India-out’ campaign. This year, his government removed Indian military personnel from the country, who were manning aviation platforms there, and refused to renew an agreement that allows India to conduct hydrographic surveys in Maldivian waters.
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)