President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has on Thursday congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following his win the Indian general elections.

Noting that the victory is “a strong affirmation of the Indian people’s confidence in the BJP-led government,” the president expressed eagerness for a “closer and enhanced ties” between the Maldives and India.

While the Indian PM has secured another five-year term, world leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have also congratulated him and his party.

The official results are yet to be announced, but the partial vote count released by the Election Commission shows that BJP is expected to surpass its 2014 performance.

While bilateral relations between Maldives and India had soured during former President Abdulla Yameen's five-year tenure, things have vastly improved since the new administration took over in November last year.

After declining invitations to Maldives during the previous administration, PM Modi visited the Maldives for the first time- since assuming office in 2014- for President Solih’s inauguration ceremony.

The incumbent president’s maiden state visit was to the neighboring country as well.