World fetes Modi on win, US lauds ‘largest exercise of democracy’

Congratulations and best wishes have been pouring in from world leaders for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA alliance for winning a historic third consecutive term in office in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of The Maldives, a country with which India has shared an embittered relationship lately, was among leaders who felicitated PM Modi, while the United States praised the polls as the “largest exercise of democracy in history” but refrained from commenting on the outcome till after final results were officially declared.

The PM Modi-led NDA alliance secured 293 seats to comfortably cross the majority mark of 273 in the Lok Sabha 2024 polls, at the end of counting on June 4.

MALDIVES SEEKS SHARED PROSPERITY, STABILITY

The Maldives’ President Dr. Muizzu wrote on @MMuizzu, his official X handle: “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 our two countries.”

The statement significantly comes at a time when India-Maldives relations have hit a low following Muizzu’s recent “India OUT” campaign that broadly claimed Indian influence was a threat to the sovereignty of Maldives. Muizzu had also vowed to remove Indian troops from Maldives as part of the campaign.

As a retaliation, a movement to boycott the Maldives soon saw many Indians cancelling holiday plans in the scenic island nation and several travel agencies in India stopping services in that country and diverting focus to the Indian beach hotspot of Lakshadweep.

“Thank you President @MMuizzu. Maldives is our valued partner and neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region. I too look forward to closer cooperation for further strengthening our bilateral ties,” @narendramodi wrote, replying to Muizzu’s post.

CONGRATULATIONS FROM LEADERS ALL ACROSS THE GLOBE

Among world leaders who felicitated PM Modi was Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. “Congratulations to @narendramodi on the new electoral victory and my warmest wishes for good work. 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 people,” @GiorgiaMeloni wrote on X.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe tweeted his congratulation, too. “I extend my warmest felicitations to the @BJP4India led NDA on its victory, demonstrating the confidence of the Indian people in the progress and prosperity under the leadership of PM @narendramodi. As the closest neighbour Sri Lanka looks forward to further strengthening the partnership with India,” wrote Wickremesinghe on his X handle, @RW_UNP.

PM Modi, in reply, sought Sri Lanka’s continued support as the India-Sri Lanka partnership continues charting new frontiers.

Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay spoke of working closely with PM Modi. “Congratulations to my friend PM @narendramodi ji and NDA for the historic 3rd consecutive win in the world’s biggest elections. As he continues to lead Bharat to great heights, I look forward to working closely with him to further strengthen the relations between our 2 countries,” @tsheringtobgay wrote on X.

PM Modi thanked his Bhutanese counterpart and wrote: “Bharat-Bhutan relations will continue to grow from strength to strength.”

Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, posted his congratulations, too. “Congratulations to PM Narendra Modi on the electoral success of BJP and NDA in the Lok Sabha elections for the third consecutive term. We are happy to note the successful completion of the world's largest democratic exercise with the enthusiastic participation of the people of India,” wrote Prachanda, on his X handle @cmprachanda.

PM Modi, in reply, said he looked forward to strengthen the friendship between India and Nepal.

Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth mentioned PM Modi’s third term as historic. “Congratulations Prime Minister Modi Ji @narendramodi on your laudable victory for a historic third term. Under your helm, the largest democracy will continue to achieve remarkable progress. Long live the Mauritius-India special relationship,” wrote Jugnauth on his X handle, @KumarJugnauth

US LAUDS POLLS

Meanwhile, the United States hailed India’s Lok Sabha polls as the “largest exercise of democracy in history” but refrained from commenting on the outcome till final results were officially declared.

“On behalf of the United States, we want to commend the government of India and voters there for successfully completing and participating in such a massive electoral undertaking, and we look forward to seeing final results,” US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a daily news briefing.

“The election results have not been finalised. So we will wait for the finalisation of those results before we offer any definitive comment. I am also not going to comment on winners. What is important for us, and what we have seen over the past six weeks, is the largest democratic exercise in history as the Indian people came to the polls,” Miller added.

Asked if there was “interference” from the West in the polls, Miller replied: “We will always express our views openly and clearly. We express them with foreign governments privately and, when we have things that we are concerned about, we also express them publicly, including from this podium. That's what I have done. But that, in no way, is an attempt to influence an election in India or anywhere else.”

Miller expected that the “close partnership” between India and the US would continue.