President Droupadi Murmu said that there are many similarities like women's clothing, respect for ancestors and strong family ties between the cultures of Mauritania and India. She said this while, addressing the Indian community in Nouakchott, the capital city of Mauritania on Wednesday.

"There are many similarities between the cultures of Mauritania and India. For example, clothing, especially women's clothing, is similar; there is respect for ancestors; family ties are strong, there are joint families; children are taught social values," the President said. It is the first visit by an Indian President to the African country. She arrived in Mauritania on the second leg of her three-nation visit to Algeria, Mauritania, and Malawi from October 13 to 19.