Pranab Mukherjee

New Delhi: India and Kyrgyzstan share common concerns on the threat of terrorism and extremism, President Pranab Mukherjee has said. “India values its long-standing friendly relations with Kyrgyzstan. India and Kyrgyzstan share common concerns on the threat of terrorism, extremism and drug-trafficking,” President Mukherjee said on Tuesday after receiving Kyrgyzstan President Almazbek Sharshenovich Atambaev at Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

The President also hosted a banquet in honour of the visiting Kyrgyzstan President who is here on a four-day visit.  “Atambaev’s visit will give a fillip to the efforts to enhance the multi-faceted relations between the two countries,” a Rashtrapati Bhavan communique on Wednesday cited Mukherjee as saying. India and Kyrgyzstan will celebrate the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations next year.

In his banquet speech, Mukherjee said: “India has always considered the Kyrgyz Republic to be an important part of its extended neighbourhood. Our proximity is not only geographical but also historical and civilisational. We have a shared past, reflected in many elements of our culture.”

Mukherjee also complimented the Kyrgyzstan President on the successful conduct of the parliamentary elections in October last year and for successfully steering a referendum on constitutional amendments earlier this month. “One of its finest achievements is its steadfast preference for and adherence to democracy. We, in India, believe that a democratic system represents much more than just the periodic exercise of voting in elections. Another commonality which binds us is our commitment to secularism,” Mukherjee said.