New Delhi, April 4:

President of India Pratibha Patil said today that voters in the constituent assembly elections of Nepal should be able to exercise their franchise in a free and fair manner.

Speaking after newly appointed Nepali ambassador to India Dr Durgeshman Singh presented his credentials to her, Patil said: “Our attention is centered on the Constituent Assembly polls in Nepal. This is a historic moment for the Nepali people to determine their future.”

President Patil said India stood committed to ensuring that Nepal goes on the track of sustainable peace, progress and stability.

The Indian President also stressed that there was a stringent need for carving a common platform of South Asian progressive countries.