WORLD LEADERS CONGRATULATE ALBANESE, PLEDGE STRONGER TIES WITH AUSTRALIA

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 (Bernama) -- World leaders have congratulated Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his May 3 electoral victory, reaffirming their commitment to deepening bilateral and multilateral ties with Canberra under his continued leadership.

Messages of goodwill poured in from across the globe, with leaders expressing admiration for Albanese’s leadership and a shared desire to strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, sustainability, and regional partnerships.

United States (US) Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended his congratulations on behalf of Washington, affirming the strength of the Australia–US alliance.

“Australia is a valued ally, partner, and friend of the United States. Our shared values and democratic traditions provide the bedrock for an enduring alliance and for the deep ties between our peoples.

“The United States looks forward to deepening its relationship with Australia to advance our common interests and promote freedom and stability in the Indo-Pacific and globally,” he said in a statement.

China stands ready to work with the new Australian government led by Albanese, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Saturday, while congratulating the Labor Party and Albanese on their federal election victory, Xinhua reported.

China is ready to work with the new Australian government to advance a more mature, stable and productive comprehensive strategic partnership, guided by shared understandings between both countries’ leaders, for the benefit of both nations and regional stability, the spokesperson added.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also congratulated his Australian counterpart on winning a second term in office, saying the close ties between the two countries show "long-distance friendships can be the strongest", German Press Agency (dpa) reported.

Starmer said: "Congratulations to Anthony Albanese on your election win. The UK and Australia are as close as ever – which goes to show that long-distance friendships can be the strongest."

"I know that we will continue to work together on our shared ambitions, including on trade, investment and energy, working towards a better life for working people in the UK and Australia," he said.

Several leaders also took to platform X (formerly Twitter) to convey their congratulations.

Canada's recently elected Prime Minister Mark Carney said Australia and Canada were close partners in "an increasingly divided world".

“In an increasingly divided world, Canada and Australia are close partners and the most reliable of friends. We have the opportunity to build on that relationship and our shared values to the benefit of both our nations, and I look forward to it,” he said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Albanese’s re-election as a “resounding victory”.

“This emphatic mandate indicates the enduring faith of the Australian people in your leadership. I look forward to working together to further deepen the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and advance our shared vision for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron warmly congratulated Albanese, saying: “In the face of global challenges, Australia and France have so much to achieve together — especially in the Indo-Pacific. Let us continue to write, with ambition and friendship, the new chapter of our partnership.”

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto has congratulated Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his re-election, pledging to strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.

In a message posted on X Saturday night, he said Albanese’s renewed mandate reflected the trust and confidence of the Australian people, and praised his “strong commitment to inclusive growth, sustainability, and international cooperation.”

“I look forward to continuing and strengthening our partnership with Australia under Prime Minister Albanese’s leadership.

“We will work together to address shared challenges and pursue mutual goals in the region and beyond,” he wrote. 

In light of Albanese's recent re-election, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba extended his congratulations and conveyed that Japan looks forward to continuing collaboration to further develop the relationship as “Special Strategic Partners”, and to realise a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”.

-- BERNAMA