Advani congratulates Obama on ''truly historic victory''

New Delhi, Nov 7 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani has congratulated Democrat Senator Barack Obama for his ''truly historic victory'' in the US Presidential election.

In his message to Obama, Mr Advani said, ''Your victory is not only your own. It is equally a victory of democracy and certain basic human ideals that are universal.'' Pointing that his 'message of Change' had appealed to forward-looking people all over the world, Mr Advani said he was heartened to learn that the Indian-American community there strongly backed him in the election.

''For us in India, your victory is a matter of special joy for two reasons. Firstly, it reaffirms the close bond between India, which is the largest democracy in the world, and the United States of America, which is the most powerful democratic nation in the world.

Secondly, by reposing their faith in the ideals of equality, freedom and racial non-discrimination, the people of your great country have signaled the triumph of the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.'' Hoping that the traditionally strong ties of friendship and cooperation between India and the USA would become more robust for mutual benefit and for the benefit of humanity under ''your presidency'', the BJP leader said, ''My wife Kamla, daughter Pratibha and son Jayant join me in wishing you the very best in all your efforts as the next President of the United States of America.'' UNI AN ARB RR BD1930