INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday (5) congratulated Keir Starmer after the Labour leader led his party to a historic victory in the general election in the UK which took place a day earlier. Starmer was set to become the new prime minister of Britain and the first Labour leader to take the office in 14 years.
In a tweet, the Indian PM, who himself won the general election in his own country last month, said he looked forward to the two nations' "positive and constructive collaboration" to further their comprehensive strategic partnership in all areas, to boost "mutual growth and prosperity".
In another post, Modi also lauded the outgoing prime minister, Rishi Sunak, who he met several times over the past one and half years after the latter took the top office. He said the latter gave the UK an "admirable leadership" and made "active contribution to deepen the ties between India and the UK". Sunak visited India for the G20 summit in September last year along with his Indian-born wife Akshata Murty. The latest meeting between Modi and Sunak took place on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy where the Indian PM was invited.
Read: Sunak concedes defeat in UK election: 'I am sorry'
"Thank you @RishiSunak for your admirable leadership of the UK, and your active contribution to deepen the ties between India and the UK during your term in office. Best wishes to you and your family for the future," Modi said in his post.
Read: What Labour's win means for free trade deal with India
Security personnel inspect the site in the aftermath of an attack as food stall chairs lie empty in Pahalgam, about 90 kilometres (55 miles) from Srinagar on April 23, 2025. Indian security forces in Kashmir carried out a major manhunt on April 23, a day after gunmen opened fire on tourists killing 26 people in the region's deadliest attack on civilians since 2000. Getty Images
Tourists visit Betaab Valley in Pahalgam, about 112 km south of Srinagar on June 26, 2025.Getty Images
Pilgrims gather at the Baltal Base Camp near Domel, en route to the sacred Amarnath cave in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, on July 29, 2025. The annual Amarnath Yatra, which began on July 3, proceeds under heightened security following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local pony handler. Security forces have been deployed in large numbers across the pilgrimage route, with checkpoints, surveillance, and restrictions in place to safeguard the thousands of devotees undertaking the arduous journey. The Amarnath Yatra is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimages, drawing worshippers from across India to the high-altitude Himalayan shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Despite the threat of violence and challenging terrain, pilgrims continue their spiritual trek, determined to complete the sacred journey under the shadow of grief and resilience.Getty Images