NEW DELHI, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday congratulated Mahathir Mohamad on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

"Heartiest congratulations to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Malaysia. I look forward to working closely with Dr Mahathir to further strengthen the mutually beneficial strategic partnership between our two countries," Modi tweeted.

The 92-year-old was sworn in as Malaysia's Prime Minister Thursday, after his Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) coalition secured 113 of the 222 seats contested at Wednesday's election, halting Barisan Nasional coalition's grip on power since the country's independence in 1957.

Mahathir had earlier ruled the country for nearly 22 years in power until 2003.