India, UN congratulate Nepal President

Kathmandu, Jul 24: India has congratulated Nepal's President Dr Ram Baran Yadav and Vice President Paramananda Jha after they assumed their respective offices.

President of India, Pratibha Patil has sent a letter congratulating President Yadav. In her message, Patil said, "Your election as President represents a new chapter in Nepal's historic democratic transition. I am confident that Nepal will progress further on the path of peace, democracy and development." "We attach the highest priority to further developing our close and multi-faceted relationship with Nepal," she added. India's Vice President Hamid Ansari also congratulated Vice President Paramananda Jha. Earlier, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee too sent his congratulations in advance when the Constituent Assembly (CA) proclaimed Nepal a Federal Democratic Republic, Kantipur reported. On Yadav's election as the very first President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also congratulated him.

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In a statement, he calls on all parties to cooperate in forming a new government, which will carry forward Nepal's peace process. Wishing him success, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom congratulated the Nepal President.

"My government and I look forward to continuing the co-operation and excellent relations between our two countries," said the queen's message. Similarly, European Union (EU) heads of mission in Kathmandu have congratulated Yadav.

"This (21st July) is a historic day. It is a decisive moment in the democratic process and building the stable, prosperous future that the people of Nepal justly deserve," said the statement issued by the French embassy, the local presidency of EU in Kathmandu.

Besides, President of People's Republic of Bangladesh Professor Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed sent a congratulation message to Yadav.

"Your election to this post exemplifies the trust and confidence that has been reposed on you," Ahmed said.

Extended heartfelt congratulations to the people of Nepal, the government of Japan wished that the peace process would succeed through the concerted efforts of all political parties and that Nepal would attain long lasting peace, stability and democracy.

ANI