PM Modi calls President-elect Biden, congratulates him and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday night wished United States President-elect Joe Biden and congratulated him on his victory in the recently concluded Presidential polls, underlining the increased focus on Indo-US ties.

The prime minister also wished Indian-origin US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on her election to the US White House and country’s second highest office.
Modi and the Indian government are moving to establish old ties with Biden.. Photo courtesy: Wikimedia

“Spoke to US President-elect @JoeBiden on phone to congratulate him. We reiterated our firm commitment to the Indo-US strategic partnership and discussed our shared priorities and concerns – Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region,” PM Modi said in a tweet.

The prime minister also wished Indian-origin US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on her election to the US White House and country’s second-highest office. “I also conveyed warm congratulations for VP-elect @KamalaHarris. Her success is a matter of great pride and inspiration for members of the vibrant Indian-American community, who are a tremendous source of strength for Indo-US relations.”

PM Modi’s call came almost 10 days after both the newly elected Democrat officials won in a tightly fought Presidential race with Republican nominee President Donald Trump.

Earlier in the day, external affairs minister S Jaishankar had indicated swift action in strengthening ties with the US administration and established old ties the country has with Biden. Jaishankar said that the President-elect Biden is “not a stranger to India or to the relationship” and India has dealt with him in his former roles as vice president in the Barack Obama administration.