Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has congratulated her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi over the landslide victory of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
"On behalf of the Government and the people of Bangladesh and on my own behalf, I extend my heartiest congratulations to you on the resounding victory of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under your dynamic leadership in the 17th Lok Sabha elections in India. This emphatic verdict is a reflection of the trust and confidence reposed on you by the people of the world’s largest democracy,” she said in a message on Thursday (May 23).
Results so far show the BJP is set to win about 300 of the 543 seats in parliament.
The main opposition alliance, which is headed by Rahul Gandhi's Congress party, is yet to concede.
The vote had been widely viewed as a referendum on the prime minister's Hindu nationalist politics.
Over 600 million people voted in a marathon six-week process.
“Bangladesh attaches highest importance to its multi-faceted relations with India which is driven by genuine goodwill, mutual trust and respect. India’s critical role in support of Bangladesh’s War of Independence under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1971 was a watershed moment in the relations,” Hasina said in her message.
The Bangladesh prime minister said she believed the renewed mandate “given to both of us by our respective peoples, Bangladesh-India ties, which have already been termed as a role model of good neighbourliness, will be further consolidated and our relations will scale newer heights.”
Wishing peace, happiness and prosperity for the people of India, Hasina said she looks forward to welcoming Modi in Bangladesh at his convenience.
“Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration and deep personal esteem," reads the message.
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