PM Modi congratulates Donald Trump for winning US election, says looking forward to strengthen India-US relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held conversations with Republican Donald Trump who was elected as the 47th president of the United States and said he is looking forward to working again closely to strengthen India-US relations.

"Had a great conversation with my friend, President @realDonaldTrump, congratulating him on his spectacular victory. Looking forward to working closely together once again to further strengthen India-US relations across technology, defence, energy, space and several other sectors," said PM Modi.




Donald Trump's historic return to the White House is being perceived as largely positive for India, mainly due to his friendship with Prime Minister Modi and his statements during his campaign that he will work to better India-US ties. However, India could be cautious of the Trump presidency due to two factors: trade and immigration. On both, Trump has often expressed his hardline views.

Trump triumphs US

Donald Trump was elected president, capping a remarkable comeback four years after he was voted out of the White House and ushering in a new American leadership likely to test democratic institutions at home and relations abroad.

Trump, 78, recaptured the White House on Wednesday by securing more than the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency, Edison Research projected, following a campaign of dark rhetoric that deepened the polarization in the country.

The former president's victory in the swing state of Wisconsin pushed him over the threshold. As of 5:45 a.m. ET (1045 GMT) Trump had won 279 electoral votes to Harris' 223 with several states yet to be counted.

He also led Harris by about 5 million votes in the popular count.

"America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate," Trump said early on Wednesday to a roaring crowd of supporters at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in Florida.