NEW DELHI (REUTERS) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to United States President-elect Joe Biden by telephone to congratulate him on his election victory, which he said showed the strength of US democracy, and he vowed to deepen strategic ties.

Mr Modi initially sent his congratulations to Mr Biden in a social media message soon after US television networks projected him to be the winner of the Nov 3 election even though President Donald Trump has refused to concede defeat.

Mr Modi followed that up with a phone call to congratulate Mr Biden and reaffirm his commitment to a strategic partnership between the two big democracies, the Indian leader said on Twitter late on Tuesday (Nov 17).

"Prime Minister Modi warmly congratulated President-elect Biden on his election, describing it as a testament to the strength and resilience of democratic traditions in the United States," the Indian foreign ministry said.

Mr Modi had built close ties with Mr Trump. The two leaders held a joint rally in the US city of Houston last year and again in Mr Modi's home state of Gujarat this year, during a visit to India by Mr Trump.

Mr Modi's critics said the Prime Minister had come dangerously close to endorsing Mr Trump's candidature, which they said could hurt India's prospects under a Democratic administration.

India and the US drew closer during Mr Trump's presidency as both countries aimed to counter China's expanding military and economic influence in the region.

During the telephone call, Mr Modi also extended his best wishes to Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris, the daughter of an Indian immigrant whose election to the second-highest public office in the US has been cheered in India.

The two leaders also discussed their priorities, including containing the coronavirus pandemic, promoting access to affordable vaccines and tackling climate change, the foreign ministry said.