Maldives government Wednesday congratulated US Republican Party candidate Donald Trump on his presidential elections win.
President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in a message to the billionaire business mogul noted the existing warms and friendly relations between the US and Maldives.
"I remain confident that the existing ties of friendship and cooperation between our two countries will continue and further strengthen under your able leadership," president Yameen's message read.
"I also look forward to working with you not only to develop closer relations between our countries but also to concert on advancement of global interests common to our countries.”
It was an unexpected outcome for the Republican candidate, who beat out not only a stacked GOP primary field but also an even more formidable opponent in Hillary Clinton, who was consistently ahead of him in the polls up and in a much stronger position on the electoral map.
Not to mention the fact that Trump has been mired in scandals and gaffes throughout the election.
His success was only part of a larger, crushing victory for the Republican Party, which retained the House and appeared poised to maintain Senate control.
The 70-year-old real estate mogul — who is now the oldest person ever elected to a first presidential term — declared victory early Wednesday, saying Clinton had conceded the election and that it's time for the nation "to come together as one united people."
The Republican congratulated his Democratic rival, saying that she waged "a very very hard-fought campaign." He also commended her for having "worked very long and very hard" over her political career.
"Now it's time for America to bind the wounds of division — have to get together," he said. "To all Republicans and Democrats and independents across this nation, I say it is time for us to come together as one united people."
Trump, who had been criticized by opponents for rhetoric characterized as divisive and racist, pledged, "I will be president for all Americans, and this is so important to me."
Trump has never before held public office, but he will be joined in the executive branch by Vice President-elect Mike Pence and a host of politicians and business executives who rallied around the GOP nominee.
Although the vast majority of pre-election surveys had indicated a slight advantage for Clinton, Trump's campaign had frequently predicted that a vein of electoral strength existed beyond the polls, pointing to his massive crowds at his events and online support.
Clinton — who was secretary of state under President Barack Obama, a U.S. senator for New York from 2001 to 2009, and first lady during her husband's presidency in the 1990s — had been painted as the "establishment" politician, while Trump campaigned as a political neophyte who could "drain the swamp" of government corruption in Washington.
Trump also delivered a strong message to the world community pledging to find common ground with every nation.
"I want to tell the world community that while we will always put America's interests first, we will deal fairly with everyone, with everyone," Trump said.
"All people and all other nations. We will seek common ground, not hostility; partnership, not conflict."
