Your win a triumph of Gandhi's teachings, Advani to Obama

New Delhi, Nov 7 : Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) prime minister hopeful L.K. Advani has congratulated US president-elect Barack Obama, saying his sweeping win has 'signalled the triumph of the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr'.

In a letter to Obama released Friday, Advani said that this was one of the reasons why the victory was a matter of special joy in India.

Another is that "it reaffirms the close bond between India, the largest democracy in the world, and the US, the most powerful democratic nation in the world", he said.

"Your victory is not only your own. It is equally a victory of democracy and certain basic human ideals that are universal. For this reason, your campaign evoked unprecedented interest in the international community, including in India."

Advani added: "Your message of change resonated strongly with the thoughts and feelings of forward-looking people all over the world. I am heartened that the Indian-American community backed you."

The following is the text of Advani's letter:

On behalf of my party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and on my own behalf, I send you heartiest congratulations on the occasion of your truly historic victory in the election to the office of President of the United States of America.

Your victory is not only your own. It is equally a victory of democracy and certain basic human ideals that are universal. For this reason, your campaign evoked unprecedented interest in the international community, including in India. Your message of Change resonated strongly with the thoughts and feelings of forward-looking people all over the world. I am heartened to know that the Indian-American community strongly backed you in the election.

For us in India, your victory is a matter of special joy for two reasons. Firstly, it reaffirms the close bond between India, which is the largest democracy in the world, and the United States of America, which is the most powerful democratic nation in the world. Secondly, by reposing their faith in the ideals of equality, freedom and racial non-discrimination, the people of your great country have signalled the triumph of the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

My wife Kamla, daughter Pratibha and son Jayant join me in wishing you the very best in all your efforts as the next President of the United States of America. May the traditionally strong ties of friendship and cooperation between India and USA become more robust for mutual benefit and for the benefit of humanity under your presidency.