Lodon: Indian origin and pro-India British MPs on Saturday hailed the victory of Congress-led UPA in general elections in India, describing it as a "new age" for the country which should now take "leadership on the world stage".
"It is a new age for India and it is time for it to take leadership on the world stage. India should now play a major role in the global politics," leading NRI Keith Vaz, a former minister, said.
Another NRI Labour MP Virender Sharma said the victory of Congress was mainly due to the "clean image of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his economic policies. It is people's rejection of divisive forces".
Sharma, who represents the Punjabi-dominated Southall constituency, said the electorate had voted for eliminating poverty and pro-development programmes.
Describing the results as "wonderful", Barry Gardiner, founder of Labour Friends of India, said, "India's democracy is, quite simply, the greatest expression of common will that we have on the planet. Time after time, Indian electorate has astounded us and proved us wrong. Once again the electorate has shown that India is world's most mature democracy".
Stephen Pound, Chairman of Labour Friends of India said, "In this election, every pundit has been confounded and the electorate has thrown up a surprise but a mature verdict."