Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama Monday congratulated Australian Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbot, wishing him success in meeting the challenges in leading Australia forward.
In a letter to Abbot, the Nobel Peace laureate said he has been struck by the warmth and friendship shown to him by Australians of all walks of life during his many visits to the country since 1982.
He said that he was encouraged by the enthusiasm of the Australian people he met towards his efforts to promote human values and inter-religious harmony, an official statement from his office here said.
The Dalai Lama has lived in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959. The Tibetan administration in exile is based in this north Indian hill town.