Kathmandu, October 29

India, China, United States and Bangladesh today congratulated Bidhya Devi Bhandari on her election as the first woman President of Nepal.

While extending his heartily congratulations to the new Head of State, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee expressed his confidence that Nepal would move towards peace, stability and development under her guidance.He also telephoned her and invited to visit to India at her convenience.

“India attaches the highest priority to the further development of its close and multi-faceted relationship with Nepal,” Mukherjee twitted. “As a close friend and neighbour, India will continue to extend all possible assistance and cooperation to Nepal,” he added.

Earlier today, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae called on President Bhandari and congratulated her.

China also welcomed her election as Nepal’s Head of State and hoped that Nepali people would work in unison under her leadership. “The Chinese side sincerely congratulates Madame Bhandari on her election as Nepal’s president,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said in a regular press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

“It is hoped that the people of Nepal would work in unison under the leadership of Madame President and the Nepali government to make Nepal a peaceful, stable and prosperous nation,” Lu added.

He reiterated that the Chinese side supports Nepal’s efforts to safeguard national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and will continue to do all it can to help Nepal.

Similarly, the United States congratulated Bhandari on her historic election as the country’s first female president. “These elections (of the President and the Prime Minister) follow the promulgation of a constitution and the formation of a new government, milestones in Nepal’s democratic development that demonstrate the people of Nepal’s commitment to democracy,” read a statement issued by the White House.

The United States also assured support to Nepal to build a more unified, stable, and prosperous country and rebuild after the devastating earthquake and its aftershocks earlier this year, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh also extended their congratulations to Bhandari. In his congratulatory message, President Hamid also invited her to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time.

While in her congratulatory message, Bangladeshi PM Hasina said she was delighted to felicitate the first woman in Nepal to grace this august position.

“This is indeed a historic moment for all the women of South Asia as it reflects the political and social empowerment of women in this region,” she added.