Kathamandu: The President Pranab Mukherjee has congratulated Ms Bidhya Devi Bhandari on her election as the President of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.
In his message to Her Excellency Ms. Bidhya Devi Bhandari, the President has said, “Please accept on behalf of the people and Government of India and on my own behalf, warm felicitations on your election as President of Nepal.
Your election comes at a critical juncture in Nepal’s history. I am confident that under your guidance, the country will move towards peace, stability and development by accommodating the aspirations of all the Nepalese people.
India attaches the highest priority to further development of our close and multi-faceted relationship with Nepal.
As a close friend and neighbour, India will continue to extend all possible assistance and cooperation in accordance with the priorities and wishes of the government and people of Nepal.
I look forward to working with you towards further strengthening the understanding and cooperation between our two countries.
I would also like to avail of this opportunity to convey my best wishes for your personal health and well-being”.
Yesterday, Nepal's parliament has elected a Communist leader who has long campaigned for women's rights as the Himalayan nation's first female President.
Parliament speaker Onsari Gharti announced that Bidhya Devi Bhandari of the Communist Party of Nepal Unified Marxist-Leninist received 327 votes against her opponent's 214 in parliament on Wednesday.
Bhandari is the deputy leader of the party led by Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli. He was elected earlier this month and leads a coalition government.
Bhandari is Nepal's second president since the Himalayan nation was turned into a republic after abolishing the centuries-old monarchy. Ram Baran Yadav remained president for seven years because it took that long for the constitution to be prepared and adopted.
