ELECTION OF PRESIDENT PRATIBHA PATIL

That this House offers its congratulations to President Pratibha Patil on her recent election to the Indian Presidency; notes her long-standing involvement in politics since the 1960s; recognises her position as the first female President of India and first female governor of Rajasthan; and hopes she will make a state visit to the United Kingdom in the near future symbolising this country's close and prosperous bilateral relations with India.