Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday congratulated Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal for successfully holding the first phase of local elections.

During a telephone conversation a day after Dahal stepped down as the prime minister, Modi also expressed hope that Nepal now would steadfastly move on the path of political stability and prosperity, according to an aide to PM Dahal.

Modi also congratulated Dahal for his successful tenure and reiterated India’s continued cooperation to Nepal in future, said Govinda Acharya, press adviser to PM Dahal.

The Indian prime minister said he hoped that Nepal’s constitution implementation process would move forward smoothly with the successful holding of the elections, Acharya added.