Modi lauds Trump, hopes for renewing India-US collaboration

As a triumphant Donlad Trump promised to usher in a “Golden Age of America,” India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi became one of the first world leaders to congratulate the flamboyant American leader on his “historic election victory” as the former U.S. president nears a return to the White House for a second term.

Sharing his message on X, Mr. Modi emphasized optimism for a continued and strengthened partnership between India and the U.S. under Mr Trump’s renewed leadership. “Heartiest congratulations my friend Donald Trump on your historic election victory. As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration to further strengthen the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership. Together, let’s work for the betterment of our people and to promote global peace, stability, and prosperity,” Mr. Modi wrote.

Under Mr. Trump’s first presidency from 2016 to 2020, India and the U.S. achieved key milestones in bilateral relations, including the signing of multiple defense agreements, such as the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA), which facilitated greater intelligence sharing between the two countries. The Trump administration also saw the U.S. emerge as one of India’s top defense suppliers.

“PM Modi and Mr Trump had forged a personal chemistry during the latter’s first term. Trump has lavished praised on Modi many a time for his strong leadership,” said Manish Chand, CEO, Centre for Global India Insights, a think tank based on global affairs. “The first term of Trump saw the re-launch of the Quad and deepening of India’s status as a major defence partner of the US. Trump II presidency will see new benchmarks in the burgeoning India-US strategic partnership,” said Mr Chand, also Editor-in-Chief, India Writes Network.

The maverick leader’s electoral journey this season has been a triumphant one, marked by decisive victories in pivotal battleground states. Early results showed Mr Trump winning Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia, bringing his electoral tally to 267, leaving him one state away from clinching the 270 votes required to secure the presidency. His campaign celebrated wins across these crucial swing states, despite pre-election polls forecasting a close race against Democratic contender Vice President Kamala Harris.

Victory Speech

In his victory speech, Mr Trump celebrated the outcome as a “magnificent victory for Americans” and promised his presidency would usher in a “Golden Age of America.” With a campaign centred on promises of economic revival and tightened immigration policies, Mr Trump vowed to “fix everything about our country” while delivering a safer, more prosperous future. His victory marks a historic comeback, as he becomes the first U.S. president in over a century to serve non-consecutive terms, a testament to his enduring influence within the Republican Party.

Interestingly, as congratulatory messages from world leaders, including Mr. Modi, poured in, Kamala Harris has yet to concede the election. Harris’ campaign remains adamant about ensuring that every ballot is counted before final declarations are made. “We still have votes to count. We still have states that have not been called yet. We will continue, overnight, to fight to make sure that every vote is counted, that every voice has spoken,” said Harris’s campaign co-chair, Cedric Richmond, following the cancellation of her election night speech at Howard University, her alma mater.

(Ananya Singh contributed inputs for this article)

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