Elections in India an inspiration around the world: United States

Washington, May 24

Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his re-election, the United States has said that the just-concluded elections in India, the largest democratic exercise in human history, is an inspiration for people around the world.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday led his BJP to a super-sized victory for a second term in office, winning an absolute majority and on course to touch the 300-seat mark in the 543-member Lok Sabha.

“Congrats to an American ally and friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his party’s win in India’s parliamentary election,” Vice President Mike Pence tweeted.

“This was a strong display of the Indian people’s commitment to democracy! We look forward to continuing to work with India for a freer, safer, and more prosperous region,” he said.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also took to Twitter to congratulate the prime minister.

“Congratulations to @narendramodi and the NDA for their victory in India’s election, and to the Indian people for casting their votes in such historic numbers. As the world’s largest exercise in democracy, #India’s election is an inspiration around the world,” he said.

During an off-camera gaggle with reporters, State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said India’s elections are the world’s largest exercise in democracy, a marvel of logistics and planning with 900 million people–an eighth of the world’s population–eligible to vote.

“We applaud the high turnout, estimated at around 66 per cent or roughly 600 million people, and the government of India for their excellent execution of this incredible event,” Ortagus said.

India, she said, is a crucial partner for the US in many areas, especially counterterrorism. “We are certainly underscoring today a historic democratic movement of at least 600 million people voting. I think it is pretty amazing,” Ortagus added. PTI