[Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha]: The Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh, and the ruling Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, have congratulated the Awami League chief and former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, on her stunning victory in Monday’s general elections.

Manmohan congratulated Hasina over phone Tuesday evening, Hasina’s press secretary Abul Kalam Azad told the news agency.

The Indian prime minister expressed the hope that the relations between Bangladesh and India, two close neighbours, would be geared up under Hasina’s leadership.

Manmohan wished the success of the upcoming government and the good health of Hasina, who also thanked the Indian prime minister for his call and wished greater cooperation from India, largest democracy in the world.

Sonia Gandhi felicitated Hasina over phone at around 5.45pm, Hasina’s deputy press secretary Mahbubul Haque Shakil said.

The Indian Congress president recalled the long relations between Bangladesh and India and hoped that the historic bondage between the two neighbours would be strengthened in the days ahead. She also observed that the peaceful transition of power to an elected government would take the existing bilateral ties to a new height.

The Congress chief wished the success of the upcoming government as well as good health of Hasina. The Indian leader of the opposition in Loksabha, LK Advani, also greeted Hasina.