INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday took to Twitter to congratulate British prime minister Boris Johnson on winning the general election with a thumping majority.
The sweeping election win saw Johnson's Conservative Party crossing the 326-mark required for a majority in Parliament. This is the party's first major win since Margaret Thatcher's 1987 victory.
Congratulating Johnson, Modi wrote: "Many congratulations to PM @BorisJohnson for his return with a thumping majority. I wish him the best and look forward to working together for closer India-UK ties."
During his campaign, Johnson had promised to deliver a “truly special UK-India relationship.”
He said: “When I was with Prime Minister Modi I stressed that the UK and India are two modern democracies who should work closely together to promote trade and prosperity, improve global security and tackle the challenges our countries face.”
The prime minister also visited the Neasden temple over the weekend, and spoke about his personal relationship with "Narendra bhai." Johnson also hailed the contribution of the 1.5 million-strong Indian community, without which “the UK would be lesser in so many ways”.
Friday's victory will allow Johnson, 55, to lead Britain out of the EU by January 31, 10 months after the original deadline of March 29.
Johnson said in his victory speech: "This election means that getting Brexit done is now the irrefutable, irresistible, unarguable decision of the British people and with this election I think we have brought to an end all of those miserable threats of a second referendum and I say respectfully to our stentorian friend in the blue twelve star hat that’s it, time to put a sock in the megaphone and give everybody some piece."
In a show of humility, he also addressed voters who had deserted Labour in his favour.
“Your hand may have quivered over the ballot paper before you put your cross in the Conservative box, and you may hope to return to Labour next time round, and if that is the case, I am humbled that you have put your trust in me,” said Johnson.
Dharavi slum in Mumbai
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)