WEB DESK
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Mongolian President Khaltmaagiin Battulga today jointly unveiled a statue of Lord Buddha at Gandan Monastery in Ulaanbaatar through video-conferencing in New Delhi. Mr Modi had offered prayers at the Gandan Tegchenling Monastery during his visit to Mongolia in 2015 and had announced to gift a statue of Lord Buddha to the monastery, underlining the common Buddhist heritage and civilizational links between the two countries and peoples.
Gandan Tegchenling Monastery is a prominent centre of Mongolian Buddhists and a treasure house of valuable Buddhist heritage. The Statue unveiled today by Prime Minister and Mongolian President symbolizes the shared respect of the two countries for the universal message of Lord Buddha.
Before the unveiling ceremony, Mr Battulga met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. Both leaders held discussions on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues. Mr. Battulga also met Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu at Hyderabad House. He is scheduled to participate in an India-Mongolia Business Forum in New Delhi today.
In the evening, the visiting dignitary will meet President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan where India and Mongolia are expected to sign and exchange agreements in different fields. A Banquet will be hosted by President Kovind in honour of the visiting President.
Mr. Battulga was accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan today morning. President Ram Nath Kovind welcomed the visiting dignitary. Later, Mr. Battulga paid tribute to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
Mongolian President arrived in New Delhi yesterday on a five-day state visit to India. This is the first State Visit by a Mongolian President in last ten years. During his stay, the Mongolian President will visit Agra where he is scheduled to attend an event. He will also be paying a visit to Bodh Gaya before leaving for Karnataka where he will hold meeting with state Governor and attend a programme on Monday.