Italy’s Giorgia Meloni congratulates PM Modi after NDA’s win, he thanks her

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the BJP-led NDA won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday.

In a post on X, which was written in Italian, she said that both countries would continue to work together to “strengthen the friendship that unites” Italy and India.

“Congratulations to @narendramodi on the new electoral victory and my warmest wishes for good work. Certain that we will continue to work together to strengthen the friendship that unites Italy and India and consolidate cooperation on the various issues that bind us, for the well-being of our nations and our people,” she said in the post.

In response, PM Modi said that his government was “committed to deepening India-Italy strategic partnership which is underpinned by shared values and interests”.

“Thank you for your kind wishes PM @GiorgiaMeloni. We remain committed to deepening India-Italy strategic partnership which is underpinned by shared values and interests. Looking forward to working together for global good,” he tweeted.

The BJP-led NDA won 292 seats, while the Opposition INDIA bloc finished with 233 seats in a spirited fight. The BJP won 240 seats, falling short of the majority mark of 272, while the Congress won 99 seats, an increase from its 2019 tally of 52 seats. Others, including regional outfits and Independents, won 16 seats.

Besides a possibly lower seat count, the NDA is also facing a reduced vote share. As opposed to 2019, when it won over 50 per cent, the ruling alliance is hovering around the 46 per cent share of votes.