India elections: World leaders congratulate Modi on win

• World leaders congratulate Modi on his alliance victory
• BJP loses its absolute majority
• Modi set to take oath for third time on June 8

Here's a look at the latest developments in India's 2024 election on Wednesday, June 5:

06/05/2024June 5, 2024

World leaders congratulate Modi on his reelection

World leaders have congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the victory of his political alliance in the country's parliamentary elections. 

China congratulated Modi on his win, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning saying "healthy and stable China-India relationship is in the common interest of both sides and is also conducive to peace and development in the region and the world."

The two large neighbors have frequently clashed over border disputes.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Italy's Prime Minister Georgia Meloni pledged to continue to strengthen the friendship that unites Italy and India and "to consolidate cooperation in the various fields that unite us, for the good of our nations and peoples."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also congratulated Modi and expressed hope for continued cooperation between Ukraine and India.

"Everyone in the world recognizes the importance and weight of India's role in global affairs. It is critical that we all work together to ensure a just peace for all nations," Zelenskyy said in a statement on X.

Under Modi, India has refused to impose sanctions against Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, instead increasing its consumption of Russian fossil fuels.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended his "warmest congratulations" to Modi. "May the friendship between India and Israel continue to surge towards new heights. Badhaai Ho!" he wrote on X.

dh/ab (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)