Indian premier congratulates Biden on election win

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated US President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday night in their first conversation since the announcement of the election result earlier this month.

Modi in a phone call with Biden agreed to work closely to further advance their partnership based on shared values and common interests, according to a statement issued by the Indian government.

Modi described Biden's election win as “a testament to the strength and resilience of democratic traditions in the United States.”

“The leaders also discussed their priorities, including containing the Covid-19 pandemic, promoting access to affordable vaccines, tackling climate change, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region,” the statement added.

The Indian premier also congratulated US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, 56, whose mother was an Indian.

She became the first Black person to serve as number two in the government.

“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,” Modi tweeted after the phone call.