Expressing solidarity withNepal's effort to put behind the ''national tragedy'', Indiatoday said it would continue to extend fullest support andcooperation for the Himalayan Kingdom's peaceful progress anddevelopment.
In separate messages to new king Gyandendra and Nepalesepremier Koirala, president Narayanan and primeminister Vajpayee said India was looking forward toworking with Nepal to further strengthen and intensifymutually beneficial cooperation.
Conveying condolences on the painful tragedy that hasbefallen the royal family, Narayanan said ''I would like toexpress the solidarity of India, as a close friend of Nepal,in your effort to put behind you this national tragedy and tolead the people of Nepal in their continuing endeavours forstable socio-economic development.''
In his message to Koirala condoling the tragic demise ofking Birendra, queen Aishwarya, king Dipendra and othermembers of the royal family, Vajpayee said ''in this hour ofnational sorrow, India and its people are with the kingdom of Nepal and its citizens''.
Vajpayee said "we are confident that the innate courageand resilience of the Nepalese people will enable them to bearthis great loss and to continue their journey on the pathtowards peaceful progress and development."
India, the prime minister said, would continue to extend its "fullest support and cooperation in this process".
He said king Birendra was held in the "highest regard"and would be remembered by future generations for hisimpressive contributions to the progress and socio-economicdevelopment of Nepal.
Warmly recalling his interaction with king Birendra inJanuary, 1999 when he visited India as the chief guest forrepublic day celebrations, Vajpayee said "we in Indiaparticularly recall his invaluable role in strengthening theclose ties of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperationbetween the two countries."
Observing that the new king assumes leadership of thekingdom of Nepal in these "sad circumstances", presidentNarayanan said "may lord Pashupathinath give you the courageand strength to bear this enormous personal loss and nationalgrief."
Home minister Advani added that "Government has already conveyed to Nepal that we arewilling to assist in any manner".
Describing the killing of king Birendra and his familymembers as "a tragedy of an extraordinary kind", he said primeminister Vajpayee was in regular touch with hisNepalese counterpart Koirala on the latestdevelopments.
