World leader congratulate India’s new President Droupadi Murmu

Several world leaders, including presidents of China, Russia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, have congratulated India’s new president Droupadi Murmu who assumed office on Monday and expressed their desire to work with her to enhance their respective nations’ multifaceted ties with India.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday congratulated President Murmu, 64, on assuming office, saying he stands ready to work with her to enhance political mutual trust, properly handle differences and push bilateral ties forward on the right track.

In his first communication to Indian leadership since April 2021, Xi pointed out that China and India are important neighbours of each other, and that a healthy and stable China-India relationship is in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and their people, as well as conducive to peace, stability and development in the region and across the world.

In his congratulatory message, President Xi said that he attaches great importance to China-India relations, and stands ready to work with President Murmu to enhance political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, properly handle differences and push bilateral ties forward on the right track, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

President Murmu, India’s youngest president and the first to be born after Independence, took the oath of office on Monday. Chief Justice of India N V Ramana administered her oath at a ceremony held at Parliament’s Central Hall. She is the country’s first tribal head of state and the second woman in the post.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also congratulated President Murmu and expressed hope that she will further promote bilateral productive cooperation.

“We attach much importance to the relations of a special privileged strategic partnership with India,” President Putin said.

Sri Lanka’s newly-appointed President Ranil Wickremesinghe congratulated President Murmu, recalling the close ties between the two nations and underlining that her leadership offers “fresh impetus” to the joint endeavours to nurture and strengthen the cordial ties they enjoy.

Bangladesh President M Abdul Hamid on Monday congratulated President Murmu and said that he is looking forward to working with her to advance mutual interests as well as making efforts for development, peace and prosperity in the region.

Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih congratulated President Murmu on her “historic election”.