India, China and the United States have congratulated Bidhya Devi Bhandari on her election as the President.

“Hearty congratulations and warm felicitations to Ms Bidhya Devi Bhandari on her election as the President of Nepal,” Indian President Pranab Mukherjee said in a message.

Mukherjee, who keeps tabs on Nepal, noted that “India attaches the highest priority to further development of its close and multi-faceted relationship with Nepal”.

Lu Kang, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said during a regular press briefing in Beijing that the Chinese side congratulates Bhandari on her election as Nepal’s president. “It is hoped that 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.”

China and Nepal are friendly neighbours, Lu said, while responding a question on Thursday. “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 with Nepal’s development.”

In the US, the White House congratulated Bhandari on her historic election as Nepal’s first female President on Wednesday.

The United States looked forward to continuing to partner with the people and government of Nepal as they build a more unified, stable, and prosperous country and rebuild after the devastating earthquake and its aftershocks earlier this year, it said.