The United States (US) has commended the Indian government and the people for successfully participating and completing the Lok Sabha elections.
“On behalf of the United States, we want to commend the government of India and voters there for successfully completing and participating in such a massive electoral undertaking, and we look forward to seeing the final results,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at a conference on Tuesday.
He was responding to a question on the Lok Sabha elections in India, in which the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) crossed the halfway mark of 272 seats, paving the way for a third consecutive term for Modi.
“First of all, our understanding is that the election results have not been finalised. So we will wait for the finalisation of those election results before we offer any definitive comment,” Miller said when asked to comment on the results.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to form the government for a third consecutive term with the BJP-led NDA getting a majority in the Lok Sabha, notwithstanding crushing losses in three Hindi heartland states after a bitterly fought election that was projected as a referendum on his popularity. US has now expressed its intention to continue close partnership with India.
“I expect a continued close partnership between the U.S. and India. There is a great partnership – both at the government level and at the people-to-people level – and I fully expect that to continue,” a State Department spokesperson told reporters.
Last year, during a visit by Modi to the U.S., the two countries announced a range of agreements on semiconductors, critical minerals, technology, defense and space cooperation.
The Election Commission of India has declared results for 542 of the 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, with the BJP winning 240 seats and the Congress 99.
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