The Prime Minister,

Prime Ministers office,

South Block,

Ravisina Hill,

New Delhy,

India.110 011.

Your Excellency,

We would like to extend our warmest greetings to Congress Party of India for the outstanding victory gained at the General Election held recently and for your Excellency for being chosen as the Prime Minister of India.

India and Sri Lanka, as countries of the same region, are faced with similar challenges. Out of these defeating separatism is one of the most challenging. Another is poverty. The outstanding victory your party gained indicates that the majority of the people in India believe that you and your party are capable of overcoming these challenges.

We believe that bilateral relations between our two countries, which have a long history of religious and cultural relationships, should be strengthened as it would assist in overcoming the aforesaid challenges. We believe the leaders of the two countries would take appropriate steps to attain this.

Your party has already stated that the main responsibility of the new Government of India is to elevate the low living standard of downtrodden masses including farmers, workers, women and youth. The Congress Party also has emphasized paying special attention on regional cooperation. We believe your Excellency too would make a special effort in developing regional cooperation.

We also believe your Excellency would follow a patriotic programme. We wish your Excellency and the new Government of India steadfastness and strength in achieving the aforesaid lofty objectives.