Dr M congratulates Modi on Indian election victory

– AP

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (pic) on his historic victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) elections.

"Congratulations @narendramodi on your clear victory in India's election. We look forward to strengthening our relations especially in trade and industry," Dr Mahathir tweeted Sunday (May 26).

On Thursday (May 23), Modi led his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a landmark victory for a second five-year term in office, winning 303 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha.

The main opposition party, Congress, secured only 52 seats, which is not enough for it to claim the post of the Leader of Opposition in the new parliament line-up.

Modi was appointed as the prime pinister of the 17th Lok Sabha on Saturday (May 25).

The voting lasted almost six weeks to accommodate nearly 900 million people who were eligible to cast their votes in the world's biggest and longest election, Bernama reported.

Other world leaders who congratulated him include of Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, Chinese president Xi Jinping, Japanese prime minister Abe Shinzo and Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan.

"The strong mandate reflects the results of your first term and the consequent trust that the people of India repose in your leadership," said Lee in a statement released by the republic's ministry of foreign affairs.

Xi extended "heartfelt" congratulations to Modi on his victory and vowed to work him to take the bilateral relations to new heights.

Japan's Abe called Modi and congratulated him for the resounding victory of his party.

Imran tweeted, "I congratulate prime minister Modi on the electoral victory of BJP and allies. Look forward to working with him for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia."

Congratulations @narendramodi on your clear victory in India’s election. We look forward to strengthening our relations especially in trade and industry. — Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) May 26, 2019