India and Mongolia have decided to elevate their ties to the level of Strategic partnership. In a joint statement issued after the delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mongolian counterpart Saikhanbileg in Ulaan Baatar, both the leaders said that the strategic partnership will be guided by the universally recognized principles of sovereign equality of states, the principles of the United Nations Charter and collective interests of people of the two countries.
The two countries said that they support the evolution of open, balanced and inclusive security architecture in the Asia Pacific region. The two Prime Ministers stressed the urgent need for reform of United Nations Security Council-UNSC to reflect contemporary realities and make it more representative and effective in dealing with emerging challenges. They underscored that the year 2015, being 70th Anniversary Year of the United Nations, provided a historic opportunity to push for concrete outcomes on the unanimous call for “early reforms” of UNSC. The two leaders agreed to continue to work towards further intensifying bilateral defense and security cooperation and encourage development of equal and mutually beneficial trade, investment and economic cooperation.
Earlier, India and Mongolia signed 13 agreements to further strengthen bilateral ties in different sectors. India will establish a Cyber Security Training Centre for Defence Ministry of Mongolia. Indian and Mongolian National Security Council‘s will hold regular consultations on traditional and non-traditional security issues, counter terrorism and intelligence cooperation.
Prime minister Narendra Modi announced a line of credit of one billion US Dollars to support expansion of Mongolia’s economic capacity and infrastructure. After delegation level talks, he said Mongolia is an integral part of India’s Act East Policy.
Addressing the Mongolian parliament, the Great Hural, the Prime minister Narendra Modi said, the convergence of Buddhism and democracy provides us a path to build an Asia of peace and cooperation, harmony and equality. He said that no other region in the world has seen so much progress in the last half century as Asia and is expected to lead the world in the 21st century.
Speaking at an event organized by the Art of Living, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed Mongolian people to perform yoga collectively on the world yoga day on the 21th of the next month. Mr. Modi said that this will send a message of yoga healing body, mind and soul to the world.
Prime Minister also participated in a mini Naadam festival which included a display of horse racing, traditional wrestling and archery. Mongolian Prime Minister gifted Mr. Modi a horse named Kanthaka on this occasion.
PM began his day with paying a visit to Gandan monastery and gifting a sapling of Mahabodhi Tree and refreshed the cultural link between the two countries. For him, the Mongolian parliament for the first time was convened on a holiday. He provided a new direction to bilateral ties through 13 agreements and joint statement for strategic partnership. Both the President and the Prime Minister hosted banquets for him. He was at his best in connecting with the masses when he participated in a special edition of Mongolia’s national festival Naadam and a community reception. He got a very special gift from the prime minister of Mongolia and it was a Kanthaka, a horse.