From human rights and COVID-19 to climate change and equality, world’s biggest leaders put their expectations forward as they congratulated the Biden-Harris administration on inauguration day.
Democrat Joe Biden has succeeded Donald Trump as the 46th President of the United States of America. His deputy Kamala Harris has made history by becoming the first female, first black, and first Asian-American Vice President of the US. Although outgoing President Trump didn’t attend the inauguration ceremony and left hours before the event for Florida, former Vice President Mike Pence attended the event along with other officials.
Watch: The Inauguration of Joe Biden
In pictures completely opposite to the horrific images that came from the US Capitol building last week, Biden’s Presidential Inauguration ceremony was a heartening celebration of the American democracy. In an event that saw several three former Presidents George Bush, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton in attendance along with popular former first ladies Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton, several A-list celebrities also showed solidarity with their presence, the highlights being performances from Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez, and the rousing speech full of hope, unity and strength by the incoming President Biden.
Soon after the Democratic duo took oath at the Capitol Hill amid more than 25,000 National Guard troops around entire Washington, reactions from world leaders have started flooding in. Here are the reactions of some of the world’s most important leaders and biggest allies of the US to the inauguration of its new Biden-Harris Administration.
Top World Leaders congratulate US President Joe Biden on his Inauguration
Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson wished Joe Biden and Kamala Harris good luck and expressed his willingness to work together on vital issues of mutual concern like climate change against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a known close ally of former President Trump among major world leaders, sent across a video message on Twitter to congratulate President Biden and Vice President Harris. He highlighted the “warm, personal friendship, going back many decades” that he shares with Biden. Netanyahu said he looked forward to working with Biden to strengthen the US-Israel alliance and to continue expanding peace between Israel and the Arab world. More importantly, he stressed on continuing to work on common challenges, naming Iran as the most important one.
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, another ally with proximity to Trump, congratulated Biden and said he looked forward to strengthening the India-US strategic partnership along with the new US President. In a separate tweet, PM Mode congratulated new US Vice President Harris on creating history towards making India-USA relations “more robust”.
Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin congratulated Vice President Harris and expressed her optimism in working with the new administration to strengthen the “good relations” and “cooperation”, while hoping for support on issues such as climate conservation, equality and human rights. However, while it can’t exactly be called a snub, PM Marin decided to omit President Biden from her congratulatory message.
Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Spain
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez congratulated Biden and Harris and called the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony a “great day”. PM Sanchez mentioned optimism in working with the US for “democracy and the reinforcement of a more just, sustainable and inclusive global governance.”
Yoshihide Suga, Prime Minister of Japan
Japanese Prime Minister Suga congratulated President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on the inauguration ceremony. PM Suga recalled the good relations of Japan and the United States of America calling the two countries “allies tied firmly by bonds and shared universal values.
Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan sent his regards to President Joe Biden on his inauguration and embarked on the intentions of working together on multiple issues to build a stronger Pak-US partnership through “trade & economic engagement, countering climate change, improving public health, combating corruption & promoting peace in the region and beyond.”
Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated President Biden while recounting the mutual ties of US and Canada in having “tackled some of history’s greatest challenges together.” PM Trudeau released a full official statement with mentioning that he looked forward to working with Biden, VP Harris and the new US administration.
Emmanuel Macron, President of France
French President Emmanuel Macron sent his best wishes to President Biden and Vice President Harris on which he called as “most significant day for the American people!” In an emphatic and poetic message of positivity, Macron welcomed US back into the Paris Climate Accord saying, “We are together. We will be stronger to face the challenges of our time. Stronger to build our future. Stronger to protect our planet.”
