Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday secured a second term in office, with his Labor Party pulling off a massive victory, and defeating opposition leader Peter Dutton. Albanese has become the first Australian prime minister to win a second consecutive three-year term in 21 years since John Howard in the early 2000s. Albanese's center-left Labor Party gained the majority in the House of Representatives, with the Australian Electoral Commision projections showing the party holding 70 seats. Dutton, Albanese's conservative opposition, conceded defeat with just 24 seats. Although he enjoyed soaring popularity and immediately began woking on stablising Australia's international relations, implementing key policy changes, and emissions reduction efforts after his 2022 win, he faced the prospect of becoming the first single-term prime minister in almost a century. However, despite the growing government dissatisfaction, his mantra 'No one held back, and no one left behind,' reassured the citizens, and made them believe that "now was no time to change the government". Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated Albanese on his resounding victory and re-election as prime minister of Australia. In a post on X, he said he looks forward to working with him to further deepen the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. "Congratulations on your resounding victory and re-election as Prime Minister of Australia! This emphatic mandate indicates the enduring faith of the Australian people in your leadership. I look forward to working together to further deepen the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and advance our shared vision for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific," PM Modi wrote on X. PM Modi had visited Sydney in May, 2023, when Albanese heaped praises on him, calling him "the boss" and likening him to American rock star Bruce Springsteen in his introductory speech at a packed stadium. “The last time I saw someone on the stage here was Bruce Springsteen, and he didn’t get the welcome that Prime Minister Modi has got,” Albanese said. "Prime Minister Modi is the boss!” he added. Who Is Anthony Albanese? Albanese, 61, popularly known as Albo, was raised in social housing in Sydney by a single mother on disability pension. He grew up believing his father, Carlo Albanese, had died before he was born, but later learned that he was alive. He tracked him down to Italy, where he met him for the first time. A Labor Party stalwart since his 20s, Albanese, was elected to an inner-city Sydney seat in 1996, on his 33rd birthday. Now amongst Australia's longest-serving MPs, Albanese has earned a reputation of being a defender of Australia's free healthcare system, a passionate rugby league fan, an advocate for the LGBT community, and supports the country becoming a republic. Albanese rose to a senior ministerial role when Labor won government in 2007. He remained a key player throughout a turbulent era for the party, which saw leadership changes from Kevin Rudd to Julia Gillard, and eventually back to Rudd. He worked for Labor minister Tom Uren and served as infrastructure minister and later deputy Prime Minister at the time of the bitter leadership war between Rudd and Gillard. Albanese has often said his motivation comes from wanting to build a better future for his son, Nathan. Following the end of his 19-year marriage in 2019, he is now engaged to Jodie Haydon, and plans to marry her later this year. While Albanese has largely avoided the scandals that plagued his predecessor Scott Morrison, he did face criticism last year for the ill-timed purchase of a multi-million-dollar cliff-top home. Following two defeats under Bill Shorten, Albanese’s rise to leadership in 2022 was seen more as a rejection of then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison. He was focused on ending years of political division over climate policy, empowered his ministers to take charge of their portfolios, and aimed to re-establish Australia's influence in the Pacific while easing strained relations with China. Liberal party leader Peter Dutton campaigned on a platform of strong leadership, portraying Albanese as indecisive and ineffective. He aimed to make history by leading the first opposition to topple a first-term government since the Great Depression. However, Trump’s return to the White House, and the trade sanctions shifted the outlook of voters. Dutton's campaign struggled to launch, and a confident Albanese insisted his opponent was not ready as he had not done enough policy work to lead the country.