President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba sent separate messages of congratulations to Ram Nath Kovind on his election as the 14th President of the Republic of India. 

In their messages, President and the Prime Minister have also expressed willingness to working closely with him in the days ahead to further strengthening the cordial relations between Nepal and India. 

A visibly emotional President-elect Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday said he will work towards protecting the Constitution and upholding its values, and will serve the nation to ensure happiness for all Indian media reported.

"This is a very emotional moment," Kovind told reporters after being elected President of India. "This is a very big responsibility for me."

"It is my duty to protect the Constitution and uphold its values as the President. I pay my respects to my countrymen and assure them that I'll serve the nation in the spirit of 'Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah' (May all be happy)," he said.

Recalling his childhood days, Kovind said: "It has been raining since morning in Delhi. This weather reminds me of my childhood days when I used to live in my ancestral village."