Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the early birds to congratulate Donald Trump on his election as the 47th President of the US on Wednesday, packing his message with photographs of shared moments from the first Trump presidency.

“Heartiest congratulations my friend @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory. As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership. Together, let’s work for the betterment of our people and to promote global peace, stability and prosperity,” Modi posted on X soon after the major news networks in the US called the polls in Trump’s favour.

Late in the night, Modi posted on X: “Had a great conversation with my friend, President @realDonaldTrump, congratulating him on his spectacular victory. Looking forward to working closely together once again to further strengthen India-US relations across technology, defence, energy, space and several other sector.”

PTI quoted sources as saying that Trump told Modi he considered him and India a "true friend".

In 2020, the Modi dispensation had to mend fences with the Democrats following President Joe Biden’s election after seemingly batting for Trump with two big rallies — “HowdyModi” in Houston and “NamasteTrump” in Ahmedabad — right in the middle of the US election cycle. However, no such recalibration is outwardly required this time.

The Trump campaign for 2020 had used clips from the two rallies even though external affairs minister S. Jaishankar had rejected the perception that the rallies were an endorsement of Trump. Modi had even shared his 2014 poll slogan to say “Abki Baar, Trump Sarkar” in Houston. And, at least twice, the Trump campaign posted on X that the then President had received Modi’s endorsement.

India studiously avoided picking a side in this presidential election. Modi even steered clear of meeting Trump during his US visit in September this year despite Trump claiming at a rally in Michigan that they would meet. Indians are the biggest sub-group of the nine lakh-strong Asian-American community in Michigan.

The only time Modi has publicly reached out to Trump since he left the White House in January 2020 was in July this year after an assassination attempt on the former President at a campaign rally.

The pictures Modi posted along with his congratulatory message on Wednesday apparently sought to bridge the distance of the past four years. Modi uploaded two pictures from Trump’s India visit, another from the “HowdyModi” event and a fourth from a bilateral on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France in 2019.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also sent out congratulatory messages to Trump.

As for the bilateral relationship, no big shift is expected given the bipartisan support for India-US ties in both capitals. While there was some apprehension about the liberal Biden dispensation being tougher with India on human rights issues in 2020, the past four years proved that Washington is not willing to allow the matter to upset the deepening bilateral relationship.

A new element in the bilateral equation is the Khalistani activism in the US and the ongoing case of the alleged Indian hand in the assassination attempt on separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. But, unlike Canada, both India and the US have taken care to ensure that it does not impact the bilateral relationship.

New Delhi will, however, have to negotiate the implementation of Trump’s campaign promise to impose a reciprocal tax to counter the high tariffs levied by India. He had billed India as the tariff king. Furthermore, his tougher stance on immigration could affect Indians. During his first stint at the White House, Trump had reduced the number of green cards issued annually. Indians account for a sizeable number of green card applicants.

This again is not an unknown terrain for India. Responding to a question on a possible Trump presidency, Jaishankar pointed out in Canberra on Tuesday: “We have actually seen steady progress in our relationship with the US over the last five presidencies, including an earlier Trump presidency. So when we look at the American election, you know we are very confident that whatever the verdict our relationship with the United States will only grow.”