Kathmandu, May 23: Warmly greeting Manmohan Singh on taking over as Prime Minister, Nepal has expressed confidence that its relations with India would be further consolidated during his tenure. "I am confident that relations between our two countries would be further consolidated to our mutual advantage during your tenure," caretaker prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa said, extending cordial felicitations to Singh on his assumption of the high office.

Top opposition leaders -- Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala and Nepal Communist Party-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal -- also congratulated Singh.
Koirala extended sincere greetings and congratulations to Singh, wished for increasing friendship and cooperation between Nepal and India as well as the two political parties, according to Nepali Congress central office.

"Your election to this high office in a very difficult and unusual circumstances, is the testimony of the faith and confidence upon you of your party and the people of India," Koirala said.

In a separate statement, NCP-UML general secretary Nepal expressed confidence that the existing cordial and deep friendship between the two countries and people will grow stronger during Singh's tenure as Prime Minister.
Bureau Report