Kishida of Japan congratulates Modi on election win

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets supporters as he arrives at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in New Delhi, India, on June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

 Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday congratulated his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on his ruling coalition’s victory in the general election.

In a message addressed to Modi, Kishida expressed hope that the Indian prime minister will exert his leadership in the future development of the South Asian nation, the Japanese government said.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, the top government spokesman, said at a regular press conference that India is an “important partner to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific,” vowing further efforts to strengthen bilateral ties.

Kishida’s government has been deepening relations with emerging super powers and developing countries, collectively dubbed the Global South, among which India is viewed as a key player along with Brazil and Indonesia.

On Tuesday, Modi declared victory for his coalition in the general election that began in mid-April. Though Bharatiya Janata Party failed to secure an outright majority in the lower house and the seats won by the ruling bloc fell short of projections, it is the largest single party. The difference between BJP and the second largest party which is Indian National Congress is of 141seats.BJP has secured 240 m while INC has just 99. The ruling Coliation has 293 seats while ragtag opposition INDI alliance has just 232 seats, others have 18 seats.