EAM speaks with Prachanda, congratulates him on victory in polls

New Delhi, Apr 16 (UNI) External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee congratulated Nepal's Maoist leader Prachanda and congratulated him on his Party's victory in the recently-concluded elections in that country.

Mr Mukherjee, who spoke with Prachanda on telephone, also assured him of India's cooperation for strengthening democracy in Nepal, sources said here today.

The telephone call was made by External Affairs Minister amid India's assurances of working together with the new government in Nepal.

A senior official of the Ministry said here that India would continue its involvement in Nepal and help the people there consolidate democracy.

Describing the elections as ''great achievement'' by the Nepalese people, the official said the issue now would be very different after the initial euphoria.

''Now they can't do without India and we will have to get involved...there will now be concrete issues. We would like them to do all by themselves. But we will help them whenever we can,'' the official said.

He hoped that the situation in the Himalayan Kingdom would now stabilise.

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