REVISED HEADLINE, DECK; UPDATED WITH CONGRATULATIONS FROM AFGHANISTAN, BANGLADESH
By Riyaz ul Khaliq
ANKARA (AA) - Leaders of Asian nations took to Twitter on Saturday to congratulate US President-elect Joe Biden on his winning the White House, as projected by major media outlets.
In their messages, the leaders said they would work to strengthen bilateral relations and peace in the region.
“Congratulations Joe Biden & Kamala Harris,” tweeted Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan.
“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 leaders. We will also continue to work with US for peace in Afghanistan & in the region.”
Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga wrote: “Warm congratulations to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. 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.”
Indian Premier Narendra Modi said he looked forward to working again with former Vice President Biden and vowed to strengthen India-US relations under the new administration.
“Congratulations Joe Biden 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 also addressed Harris, who has Black and Asian Indian heritage.
“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.
Jacinda Ardern, newly sworn in Friday for her second term as prime minister of New Zealand, lauded the “message of unity” of the Biden campaign.
“Congratulations President-elect Joe Biden & Kamala Harris 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 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.”
-Afghanistan, Bangladesh
On Twitter, Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani said: "Congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden & Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Afghanistan looks forward to continuing/deepening our multilayered strategic partnership w/ the United States – our foundational partner – including in counterterrorism & bringing peace to Afghanistan."
Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai also congratulated Biden and Harris, saying: “We need the same in Afghanistan in a much deeper and more profound way.”
He added: “We hope his administration’s policy and relations with Afghanistan will focus entirely on bringing peace and stability.”
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Premier Sheikh Hasina on Sunday congratulated Biden and Harris, saying of the former: “I look forward to working closely with you … in effectively confronting the evils of terrorism, violent extremism, hatred, forced displacements as of the Rohingyas, and for the realization of a safer and a better world.”
Bangladesh has a refugee Muslim Rohingya population of some 1 million who fled oppression and a campaign of systematic violence in neighboring Myanmar.
Hailing Harris, the US’ first female vice president, as heroic and inspirational for women, Hasina wrote: “I believe your tenure, in the esteemed office, shall witness the continuation of your relentless efforts and success in establishing equal rights and justice for all people.”
As Biden now holds a commanding 290 Electoral College lead, it is now mathematically impossible for President Donald 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 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.
*Shadi Khan Saif from Afghanistan and Md. Kamruzzaman from Bangladesh contributed to this story