US ready to work closely with Modi to boost strategic ties: Kerry

Washington: Asserting that its friendship with India is “absolutely vital”, the US today said it is ready to work “closely” with the Narandra Modi-led new government to strengthen strategic ties and security.

“The United States stands ready to work closely with Prime Minister Modi and the new government to promote shared prosperity and strengthen our security,” Secretary of StateJohn Kerry said.

“The friendship between the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy is absolutely vital and the United States is deeply invested in our strategic relationship. We look forward to strengthening our partnership based on common values, shared democratic traditions and the binding ties between our peoples,” he said in a statement.

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Kerry’s statement came hours after Modi was invited by President Pranab Mukherjee to be sworn-in as the Prime Minister of India on May 26.

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Kerry offered his congratulations to the BJP on its resounding victory in India’s historic Lok Sabha polls and to Narendra Modi on his election as the Prime Minister of India.

“I also extend warm congratulations to all the newly elected parliamentarians,” Kerry said.

“When the people of India hold the biggest democratic election in human history, all the world tunes in to watch. And what we saw has been nothing short of remarkable: more voters cast their ballots freely and fairly than any other in world history, with over 530 million Indians going to the polls,” he said.

“The voice of the Indian electorate is clear and unequivocal in its call for economic opportunity and effective governance for all,” the US Secretary of State said.

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Kerry also said he was looking forward to visiting India soon.

“Every time I visit India, I’m struck by the vibrancy of your culture, the energy of your youth and the strength of your democratic institutions. I look forward to returning to India soon and echo President Obama’s invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit the United States at the earliest opportunity,” Kerry said.

PTI