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AAP
AAP
Politics
Dominic Giannini

Phoning a friend, PM congratulates Modi on election win

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has congratulated his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on being re-elected after the world's most populous nation went to the polls.

Mr Albanese spoke to Mr Modi on Thursday after more than 640 million people cast their ballots and voted the incumbent in for a third consecutive term.

Mr Modi won fewer seats than expected and his party lost its majority but has enough support to govern in a coalition over the next five years.

The pair spoke about the strength of the Australia-India relationship, growing economic, defence and security ties and partnerships to achieve net-zero economies.

They agreed to meet at the earliest opportunity in the coming months.

Australia has worked to boost trade and education partnerships with India as the two nations map out a new economic strategy.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also offered his congratulations.

Mr Modi last visited Australia in mid-2023 while Mr Dutton travelled to India to meet with political and business leaders in October.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Trade Minister Don Farrell announced consultations would open for a new roadmap in May to build upon a 2018 economic strategy.

But human rights concerns in India and foreign interference claims have plagued the relationship, with the federal government under pressure to raise the issues.

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