AJC Congratulates Narendra Modi on Election as Indian Prime Minister

NEW YORK, May 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC, the global advocacy organization, congratulates the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on its victory in India's general elections. BJP head Narendra Modi is slated to become India's next prime minister.

For decades, AJC has engaged successive Indian governments, regardless of party identity, on matters of common interest and concern. "We look forward to working with Mr. Modi and the new government to further strengthen and deepen India's extensive relations with the United States and Israel," said Shira Loewenberg, Director of AJC's Asia Pacific Institute (API). "BJP has long been a friend to Israel and the Jewish people."

An API delegation met with Mr. Modi in 2012, when he served as chief minister of Gujarat. More recently, in March, an API delegation led by AJC President Stanley Bergman, met with officials of the Congress-led government and with BJP officials, including party spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad.

More than 800 million eligible voters participated in the five-week election process. The BJP secured 283 seats and its allies gained another 54, bringing the NDA coalition's total to 337. A majority of 272 seats out of a total of 543 seats in India's lower house of parliament, the Lok Sabha, is required by a party or a coalition to form a government.

AJC has worked closely with India's vibrant Jewish community, numbering some 4,500 – including 150 from Mr. Modi's home state of Gujarat. In addition, AJC's longstanding engagement with India – featuring periodic consultations in New Delhi and with Indian diplomats abroad, exchange programs, special events with Indian officials and analysts organized by AJC offices across the United States, and humanitarian efforts – also has involved close cooperation with the Indian American community.

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SOURCE American Jewish Committee