WASHINGTON, May 17: US lawmakers and Indian- Americans have congratulated Narendra Modi for leading the BJP to a historic win, hoping that his elevation to the prime minister’s post would further strengthen bilateral ties.
“A partnership between the world’s two largest and greatest democracies is necessary for us to successfully address the many global challenges we face, including economic growth, bilateral trade, the environment, terrorism, and security,” Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard said.
Gabbard, the first ever Hindu lawmaker in the US Congress, made a telephone call to Modi and congratulated him and the BJP for winning a majority vote in the Lok Sabha.
“This election was an extraordinary achievement for the 550 million Indians who voted over the course of six weeks in some 930,000 polling locations. I look forward to working with Mr Modi and other members of the Indian government toward our mutual goals of peace, stability and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region,” Gabbard said.
Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee, said, “I congratulate Narendra Modi on being elected as the next Prime Minister of India. This is a historic moment for India, and I will work closely with Prime Minister-elect Modi to strengthen the important relationship between our two countries.”
Powerful Democratic Senator Mark Warner, who is co-chair of the bipartisan Senate India Caucus, in a statement congratulated BJP and Modi on their electoral victory.
“I look forward to working with the new Indian government to move the US-India relationship forward,” he said.
The Indian American-Forum for Political Education described the electoral triumph as a historic win for the BJP.
“It is a new era, new beginning and this new leadership that would shape India for a brighter future. We also would like to congratulate the people of India who have shown and wisdom, maturity in deciding and opting for a change for a better India,” said Dr Sampat Shivangi, president of the IAFPE.
“We definitely want to appreciate President Obama’s personal initiative in reaching out to Shri Narendra Modi welcoming him and inviting him to visit USA which is long overdue. We believe two world leaders, President Obama and Prime Minister Modi will take India-US relations to the glory days of peace and prosperity for both the nations,” she said.
Many Indian-Americans across the US lit ‘diyas’ last evening in their homes, community centers and temples to celebrate the victory of Modi.
A popular restaurant in Edison city of New Jersey kept its pre-election promise by distributing free ‘Methi Gota’ (Gujarati Pakoda) to all its customers to celebrate Modi’s victory. (PTI)
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