Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that Mongolia is the new bright light of democracy for the world, hailing the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Ulaanbaatar.
The Prime Minister, who was addressing the Mongolian Parliament, is the first foreign leader to address the members on Sunday, a holiday.
"Mongolia is the new bright light of democracy. Your country reminds us how beautiful this world is. It's an honour to address the Parliament of Mongolia; it's a special privilege to do so in 25th year of democracy in Mongolia. I'm deeply grateful for your generosity in hosting me on a Sunday, I'm humbled by warmth, welcome and wonderful hospitality," said Prime Minister Modi, while addressing the Mongolian Parliament at the State Great Khural.
"We are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and Mongolian, which is an important milestone, but our ties are timeless in spirit. Today, Indians and Mongolians are telling the world that bonds of hearts and minds have the strength to overcome barriers of distances. While the human bonds have been strong, our economic ties have been modest. But I have no doubt our relationship will progress along every avenue of new age," he added.
He further said that India is a bright spot of hope as far as global economic momentum is concerned.
"A year ago, a nation of 1.25 billion people voted for change and progress in the largest democratic election in human history. In less than a year, India has emerged as one of the fastest growing major economies of the world," he said.
"At a time when the global economy remains weak, the world speaks in one voice: India is the bright spot of hope to become the new locomotive for global economic momentum. We are conscious that our challenges are vast, but we have faith in our sound policies and good governance. We draw confidence from unity of our nation and common purpose of our people. As we transform lives of people, we also create opportunities for the world," he added.
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Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi hailed his visit to Ulaanbaatar as a 'significant milestone' after India and Mongolia signed over 14 agreements to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.
The Prime Minister also visited the Gandantegchinlen monastery in the city, where he interacted with the Hamba Lama and gifted him a sapling of a Bodhi tree.
This was followed by a ceremonial welcome that was accorded to him at the Mongolian State Palace at the Chinggis Khaan Square, where he also signed the guestbook.
He will also call on Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj and will lay the foundation stone of the IT centre at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology.
Prime Minister Modi, who arrived in Ulaanbaatar on Saturday night, is the first Indian prime minister to visit Mongolia.