Obama win opens historic chance for peace, progress: PM

New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday congratulated US President Barack Obama on his re-election and personally committed to a “rewarding” association to build further on the global strategic partnership the two nations have built over the last four years, and for world peace and progress.

The prime minister, in a message, said the mandate for Obama to lead the US for four more years gave him a historic opportunity to continue to work for both the American people and for global peace and progress at “an admittedly difficult juncture” for the US and the world at large.

“It gives me great pleasure to convey to you my warmest congratulations on your re-election as the president of the US,” he said in the message.

“Your mandate gives you a historic opportunity to continue to work for the welfare of the American people as also for global peace and progress at an admittedly difficult juncture, not just for the US, but indeed for the world at large,” Manmohan Singh said.

The prime minister said: “The renewed confidence that the people of your great country have reposed in you is as much a tribute to your qualities of head and heart as it is an indication of the faith that the American people have in your leadership.”

He said over the last four years, consistent with the vision of a global strategic partnership between India and the US, the ties between the two democracies have seen sustained growth.

“We have not only advanced cooperation across the full spectrum of our bilateral relationship, but also deepened our engagement in the pursuit of global peace, stability and prosperity,” the prime minister said.

Expressing his “personally valued” friendship with Obama, Manmohan Singh said he looked forward to continuing the rewarding association in order to build further on the enduring foundations of the shared values and the accomplishments of the past four years.

“I have no doubt that there is much more we can do together to further strengthen the India-US partnership and thereby advance peace and stability, expand mutual economic opportunities, harness the potential of science and technology, innovation and higher education, and empower our people to address global challenges,” he added.

Manmohan Singh said his wife Gurcharan Kaur joined him in wishing Obama and Michelle, as well as their daughters Malia and Sasha, “good health, success and happiness as you prepare for a new term in office.”

Obama defeated his Republican challenger Mitt Romney in a hard fought election Tuesday.