Asian leaders extend greetings to Trump on his return to White House

KARACHI, Pakistan

Asian leaders on Monday extended greetings to US President Donald Trump on his return to the White House, vowing to work with him for a better future for the world.

Australian Prime Minister Antony Albanese, in his message, vowed to work with Trump on the "opportunities and challenges ahead."

"Congratulations @realDonaldTrump on your inauguration as 47th President of the United States. The United States is a great friend of Australia’s. Our Alliance has never been stronger," Albanese wrote on X.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, in a message on X, extended "warmest" congratulations to Trump on his inauguration as president, saying he looks forward to "collaborating with you to reinforce the enduring Japan-US partnership and jointly pursue our shared goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific."

The Hiroshima prefectural government said it is inviting Trump to its capital city for the 80th anniversary of the US conducting the world's first atomic bomb attack.

"You alone, have the capacity... to lead the world toward the elimination of nuclear weapons, thereby saving humanity from the horrors of nuclear holocaust," Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki said in a letter addressed to Trump sent via the US Embassy in Tokyo, inviting him to come to the city devastated in the 1945 bombing.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a message on X, congratulated Trump on his "historic" inauguration as the 47th US president.

"I look forward to working closely together once again, to benefit both our countries, and to shape a better future for the world. Best wishes for a successful term ahead," he added.

Writing on X, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he looks forward to working with Trump to strengthen the "enduring Pakistan-US partnership."

"My warmest congratulations to @realDonaldTrump on his assumption of office as the forty-seventh President of the United States of America," Sharif said.

"Over the years, our two great countries have worked together closely to pursue peace and prosperity in the region and beyond for our peoples and we shall continue to do so in the future. My best wishes to President Trump for a successful second term in office," he added.

Taiwanese regional leader William Lai Ching-te in his message said: "Sincere congratulations to @realDonaldTrump & @JDVance on your inauguration as #POTUS & #VP."

"Taiwan looks forward to working with your administration to promote enduring freedom, peace & prosperity around the world. We wish you great success in the years ahead," he wrote on X.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said his country looks forward to working with the new US administration to "advance our shared goals for global peace and elevate our long-standing mutually beneficial bilateral partnership during this term."

"I wish you wisdom and resolve as you take the helm at a time when the world is engulfed in dire turmoil and uncertainty," he wrote on X.

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters extended congratulations to JD Vance on his swearing-in as the US vice president.

"We look forward to working together with Vice President Vance to further deepen the relationship between New Zealand & the United States, two of the world’s great, longest-running democracies," he said in a post on X.