Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu followed by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan were among top world leaders who congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his impressive victory in the general elections as they vowed to work with him to bolster the bilateral ties. President Xi extended “heartfelt” congratulations to Prime Minister Modi on his election victory and vowed to work with him to take the bilateral ties to a new height. “On the occasion of the National Democratic Alliance winning the 17th Lok Sabha election of India under your leadership, I would like to extend my heart-felt congratulations,” Xi wrote in a letter to Modi.
As important neighbours to each other, China and India are two largest developing countries and emerging economies in the world. In recent years, China-India relations have shown strong momentum of development under the joint efforts of both sides, according to the letter. “I attach great importance to the development of China-India relations and would like to work with you to guide the development directions of the bilateral relations, enhance mutual political trust, expand pragmatic cooperation and promote the closer developmental partnership between the two countries to a new height,” Xi said.
His message congratulating Modi even before the official announcement of results came as a surprise as normally, by practice and protocol, the Chinese leadership greets leaders of other countries after the official results are declared.
