PM looking forward to work with Bhattarai to strengthen ties

New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh has congratulated Baburam Bhattarai on his election to
the top post in Nepal, saying he looked forward to working
with him to "strengthen and deepen" the ties between the two
countries.
Asserting that India is committed to providing all
assistance in building a more stable and democratic Nepal,
which will add to the security and prosperity of the region,
Singh in his letter to the newly-elected Nepalese Prime
Minister wished him all success in the task of consolidating
the democratic gains made by his country.
"India attaches the highest priority to its relations
with Nepal. Our relations are special and characterised by
intense people-to-people interaction and an open border,"
Singh said, according to an External Affairs Ministry release.
The Prime Minister has also extended an invitation to
Bhattarai to visit India at his convenience, on dates to be
decided through diplomatic channels, adding that he looked
forward to working with the latter to "strengthen and deepen
the close civilisational and fraternal links" between India
and Nepal.
Considered a moderate face in the Maoist party,57-year-old
India-educated Bhattarai, who has a doctorate from New Delhi's
Jawaharlal Nehru University, was elected on Sunday when he got
340 votes in the Constituent Assembly. His Nepali Congress
rival R C Poudyal secured 235 votes.