Kerry congratulates Modi; ready to work with new government

Washington, May 16 (IANS) Congratulating the Bharatiya Janata Party on its "historic" poll victory, the White House and Secretary of State John Kerry Friday said they look forward to working with the new Indian government.

"Congrats to narendramodi and BJP," Kerry tweeted. "Look forward to working w/you/growing shared prosperity/security w/world's largest democracy."

Earlier the National Security Council (NSC) of the White House also congratulated BJP in a tweet, but without mentioning the architect of the victory, Modi.

"US congratulates BJP on its victory in India's historic election; we look forward to working with the government once formed to advance our partnership," it tweeted.

There was no immediate comment available from either President Barack Obama or the State Department, which had both Tuesday said that the US was looking forward to working "closely" with the next government in India.

But even as it became clear that Modi whom the US has shunned for over a decade over his alleged role in 2002 Gujarat riots, was all set to become the new prime minister, neither made a reference to the BJP leader.

However, Washington has been now making preparations for months to face the prospect of Modi, the leader of a country that Obama has famously described as "one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century".

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at [email protected])