Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama Friday congratulated Kevin Rudd on resuming responsibility as the prime minister of Australia, and also complimented Tsakhiagiin Elbegdor on his re-election as president of Mongolia.
In a letter to Rudd, the Nobel laureate said he was touched by the affection and friendship shown to him by people of all walks of life from Australia during his recent visit there.
In his letter to Elbegdor, the Dalai Lama said: "Mongolia has made impressive progress and this advancement will become increasingly meaningful as it results in direct improvement in the lives of ordinary people."
The Dalai Lama has lived in India since 1959, when he fled his homeland after a failed uprising against the communist rule.
The Tibetan government-in-exile is based here, but is not recognised by any country.
