PM Narendra Modi congratulates Emmanuel Macron for 'emphatic' victory

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated French President-elect Emmanuel Macron for his "emphatic" win in the country's presidential election.

In tweets posted this morning, PM Modi said, "Congratulations to @EmmanuelMacron for an emphatic victory in the French Presidential election. #Presidentielle2017".

"I look forward to working closely with President-elect @EmmanuelMacron to further strengthen India-France ties", PM Modi also said.

Macron replaces Francois Hollande under whose presidency, India and France finally signed the long-delayed Rafael deal.

A 2016 note posted on the Embassy of India, Paris's website notes, "France considers India an important market for its products and is looking to increase the number of joint ventures and encouraging investments in and from India."

With virtually all ballots counted, Macron won just over 66% of the votes cast in the bitter French election.

He defeated Marine Le Pen, a far-right nationalist who had vowed to take France out of the European Union.

Macron's victory marked the third time in six months - following elections in Austria and the Netherlands - that European voters shot down far-right populists who wanted to restore borders across Europe.

In tweets posted after his win, Macron said, "You (the French people) have chosen audacity. We will continue to wear the audacity. That's what the world expects of us!"

"Our task is to build a true and strong majority. I still need you", Macron also said, adding, "I will serve you on behalf of our motto: liberty, equality, fraternity."