New Delhi Feb 6 : Stressing the need for greater people-to-people interaction, particularly through academic and cultural exchanges, India and Kyrgyzstan called for early conclusion of the Cultural Exchange Agreement.

Foreign Affairs Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, Ednan Karabaev and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee held delegation level talks on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual concern.

The two sides expressed satisfaction with the ongoing bilateral institutional mechanism of Inter Governmental Commission, Foreign Office Consultations and mutually beneficial cooperation and partnership between India and the Kyrgyz Republic encompassing political exchanges, economic, defence, scientific and technological cooperation, and cultural and educational exchanges.

The two countries also agreed to work together for the further enhancement of their multifaceted relationship based on shared values, mutual respect and cooperation, and similarity of views on major international issues.

During Karabaev's visit, Programme of Cooperation was signed, which lays down the roadmap for dialogue and cooperation between the two External Affairs Ministers.

Both sides noted that bilateral trade between the two countries, though below potential, had steadily increased in the previous years.

The two countries agreed to work to substantially raise the level of mutual trade and to sustain this level of growth. They also welcomed the growing investment partnerships between Indian and Kyrgyz companies in several sectors such as mining and processing of minerals and metals, leather manufacture and food processing.

The Kyrgyz Foreign Minister expressed appreciation for commissioned and ongoing Indian assisted projects in the Kyrgyz Republic.

An India-Kyrgyz Centre of Information Technology was inaugurated on August 15, 2007 at Bishkek.

Setting up of Potato Processing Plant and Mountain Medical Research Centre with Indian assistance in the Kyrgyz Republic is in advanced stage of planning and is to be implemented shortly.

Pranab Mukherjee announced humanitarian relief assistance of 100,000 dollars for the victims of earthquake that hit southern Kyrgyzstan on January 3 this year.

The two sides welcomed the UN General Assembly Resolution on announcement of October 2 as the International Non-violence Day and the UN General Assembly Resolution on the establishment of February 20 as the World Social Fairness Day.

India and Kyrgyzstan recognized these initiatives as important achievements of both countries for world peace and stability. (ANI)