New Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday congratulated Pushpa Kamal Dahal on his election as the prime minister of Nepal and said he "looks forward to working with him to deepen the friendly relations between the two neighbours".

Dahal, better known by his nom de guerre Prachanda, vanquished his sole rival former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba Friday by garnering 464 votes, more than two-thirds majority, while he needed only a simple majority in the constituent assembly to win.

"In his message, Manmohan Singh said he looks forward to working with the prime minister-elect to further develop the bonds of good neighborliness that unite our peoples and nations, and to deepen the friendly relations that exist between India and Nepal," external affairs ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna said here.

The prime minister underlined "linked destinies" of people in South Asia who are engaged in a common struggle against poverty, disease and hunger.

"India will continue to stand by the people and government of Nepal in consolidating their peaceful democratic transition and in its developmental efforts," the prime minister said in his felicitation message.

Manmohan Singh also invited Prachanda to visit India at his earliest convenience and said that he looks forward to meeting the new prime minister of Nepal, the external affairs ministry spokesperson said.

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