India on Thursday hailed the Nepal Constituent Assembly polls as a "historic" step towards realisation of the aspirations of the people of that country and expressed readiness to help in "major tasks" of democratisation and development that lie ahead there."The successful Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal are a welcome and historic step towards realising the aspirations of the people of Nepal for a democratic future," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters in New Delhi soon after the polling concluded. People of Nepal came out in huge numbers on Thursday to vote in the elections that aim at abolishing the 240-year-old monarchy and establishing a democratic, federal Republic system.Sarna said the "happy outcome" was a product of the determination of the people of Nepal, with significant contributions by the political parties and the Election Commission of that country.He noted that the Constituent Assembly would provide a platform for the people of Nepal to determine the manner of their governance and their future. "As always, India will stand by the people of Nepal in the major tasks of democratisation and development that lie ahead while building a stable, prosperous and peaceful Nepal," the spokesman said.
