Leaders of India, Pakistan, and other Asian nations took to Twitter to congratulate US President-elect Joe Biden for his win in the presidential election. The leaders in separate messages said they will work to strengthen bilateral relations and peace in the region.
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“Congratulations @JoeBiden & @KamalaHarris. Look forward to President-Elect Biden’s Global Summit on Democracy & working with him to end illegal tax havens & stealth of nation’s wealth by corrupt ldrs [leaders]. We will also continue to work with US for peace in Afghanistan & in the region,” said Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Biden won the crucial state of Pennsylvania earlier Saturday to secure the necessary 270 Electoral College votes needed to claim the White House, according to The Associated Press and other news organizations.
Biden now holds a commanding 290 Electoral College votes after the AP also called the state of Nevada for the president-elect.
Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he would work for peace in the Indo-Pacific region. “Warm congratulations to @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris. I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the Japan-US Alliance and ensure peace, freedom, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond,” he said.
Jacinda Ardern, who was sworn-in Friday for a second time as Prime Minister of New Zealand, lauded the “message of unity” of the Biden campaign.
“Congratulations President-elect @JoeBiden & @KamalaHarris on your victory in the US Presidential election. With so many issues facing the international community, your message of unity is one we share. New Zealand looks forward to working with you both!” she said.
Wishing success to Biden and his deputy, Harris, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: “The Australia-US Alliance is deep and enduring, and built on shared values. I look forward to working with you closely as we face the world’s many challenges together.”
The American states of Georgia, North Carolina, and Alaska remain outstanding several days after Tuesday’s election, but it is now mathematically impossible for Trump to win re-election without a major change in vote counts.
“America, I’m honored that you have chosen me to lead our great country,” Biden said on Twitter ahead of a public address expected later Saturday. “The work ahead of us will be hard, but I promise you this: I will be a President for all Americans — whether you voted for me or not. I will keep the faith that you have placed in me,” he said.
Modi Greets Biden & Indian-Origin Kamala Harris
Indian Premier Narendra Modi said he looked forward to working with Biden again and vowed to strengthen India-US relations under the new administration.
“Congratulations @JoeBiden on your spectacular victory! As the VP, your contribution to strengthening Indo-US relations was critical and invaluable. I look forward to working closely together once again to take India-US relations to greater heights,” Modi wrote.
In a separate tweet, Modi greeted Harris, who is Black and Indian-American. “Your success is pathbreaking, and a matter of immense pride… for all Indian-Americans. I am confident that the vibrant India-US ties will get even stronger with your support and leadership,” he said.
Kamala Harris has created history as she is set to become the first-ever woman vice president of the United States. Harris, 56, also makes history as the first Black person and the first person of Asian descent who will serve as number two in the US.
The child of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, she has been a taboo-breaker her entire career, starting from 2010 when she was elected the first Black and first woman to serve as the state of California’s Attorney General.
After completing nearly two terms, she was sworn in as California senator — the second Black woman and first South Asian-American senator in history. Harris is currently the only Black woman in the chamber.
She holds seats on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on the Budget.
Growing up in Oakland, California gave Harris a “stroller-eye view” of the civil rights movement which led her to the law field. After earning an undergraduate degree from Howard University and a law degree from the University of California, she began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.
In 2003, Harris became the San Francisco District Attorney where she started a program to reintegrate drug offenders by giving them a chance to earn a high school diploma and find employment. She held that post for two terms.
