NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded on Monday to congratulatory messages from Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former premier Nawaz Sharif by saying that while India desires peace and progress, the security of the Indian people will “always remain our priority”.
Pakistan had so far held off on sending a message to Modi on his election victory, with the Foreign Office in Islamabad saying last Friday it would be “premature” to talk of sending such a message as the process of forming a government was ongoing.
“Felicitations to @narendramodi on taking oath as the Prime Minister of India,” Shehbaz Sharif said in a brief post on X.
Shehbaz Sharif’s elder brother Nawaz Sharif, a three-time former premier and head of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, was more effusive in his subsequent message on X.
“My warm felicitations to Modi Ji (@narendramodi) on assuming office for the third time. Your party’s success in recent elections reflects the confidence of the people in your leadership,” said Nawaz Sharif, who attended Modi’s first inauguration in 2014 as Pakistan’s premier.
“Let us replace hate with hope and seize the opportunity to shape the destiny of the two billion people of South Asia,” he added.
Modi responded to Nawaz Sharif by saying: “Appreciate your message @NawazSharifMNS. The people of India have always stood for peace, security and progressive ideas. Advancing the well-being and security of our people shall always remain our priority.”
He also replied to Shehbaz Sharif’s message by posting on X: “Thank you @cmshehbaz for your good wishes.”
Modi’s response to Nawaz Sharif was a tacit reference to India’s long-standing position that the two sides cannot hold talks under the shadow of terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
The message came a day after nine people were killed and 33 injured in a terrorist attack on a bus full of pilgrims at Reasi in Jammu and Kashmir. Security officials said a front for Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was behind the attack.
Pakistan was among the countries invited to Modi’s first inauguration in 2014 but bilateral relations went into a deep freeze following a string of terror attacks, including the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing that killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans and brought both countries to the brink of conflict. After India scrapped the special status of Jammu and Kashmir the same year, Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties.
The Indian side also hasn’t received any message from the top leadership of China, including President Xi Jinping. On Saturday, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded to a congratulatory message from his Chinese counterpart by saying India will make efforts to normalise ties with China on the basis of “mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity”.
In a post on X, Modi thanked his Finnish counterpart Petteri Orpo for his congratulatory message and said he looked forward to building on the momentum in India-Finland ties and further deepening the bilateral partnership. Orpo had congratulated Modi on his third term and said he looked forward to expanding bilateral relations and working together for the “common good and the well-being of our peoples”.
Former Afghan president Karzai extended felicitations in a message on X and said: “I have every confidence that the people of India will continue their progress under your wise leadership. My best wishes to you and the friendly people of India.” Modi responded by posting: “Thank you for your kind words of felicitations my friend @KarzaiH.”
Modi also received a congratulatory message from philanthropist and former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, who said he had “strengthened India’s position as a source of innovation for global progress in sectors like health, agriculture, women-led development, and digital transformation”. Gates said he looked forward to a “continued partnership to enhance the lives of people across India and the world”.
Modi replied by saying he deeply appreciated Gates’ message and recalled their “very positive and engaging conversation a few months ago, including on [the] transformative role of technology in governance and healthcare, and India’s commitment to climate change and sustainable development”. He added: “We value our partnership for promoting innovation for the benefit of humanity.”
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni also congratulated Modi on X and said the people of Africa share common aspirations and goals with Indians. “When India won her independence in 1947, Africans were inspired to fight and overthrow the yoke of colonialism…We, therefore, recognise India as a strategic ally,” he said.
Museveni added that the people of India and Uganda share common interests, including the pursuit of peace and prosperity. “We will continue working together to ensure the well-being of our citizens,” he said.
Modi responded by saying India will advance its strong partnership with Uganda. He said India was proud that the African Union became a permanent member of the G20 during the Indian presidency last year. “We will further develop our historical connect in all areas,” he added.
Slovenian PM Robert Golob, too, sent a congratulatory message to Modi, saying he looked forward to strengthening relations between the two countries and cooperating at international forums.
