PM Modi and President of Mongolia, Khaltmaagiin Battulga, on September 20 jointly inaugurated Lord Buddha statue at Gandan Monastery in Mongolia via video-conferencing, reported ANI. statue is a symbol of India-Mongolia spiritual partnership and shared Buddhist herit.

READ I PM Modi & Mongolia Prez Battulga to jointly inaugurate Buddha statue

President Battulga's visit

Mongolian President Battulga is on a five-day visit and was invited by India's President Ram Nath Kovind. He arrived in New Delhi on September 19 for a State visit, which is first of its kind in a decade. He was received by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. He came to India with high-level officials and a business delegation. Mongolian President Battulga will attend an India-Mongolia Business Forum in New Delhi. representatives from both sides will hold in-depth discussions on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues and will also review ongoing cooperation in fields of infrastructure, energy, disaster manment, defence, security, culture, and capacity building. 

READ I Kiren Rijiju Flags Off 'Great Ganga Run'; Aim Is To Raise Awareness

Earlier in day, Battulga received a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan and was received by President Ram Nath Kovind. He later paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

Mongolian President is also scheduled to meet Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu.

Battulga's visit to India is first state visit by a Mongolian President in last 10 years, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, ting two sides will hold in-depth discussions on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues. It also said that two countries would review ongoing cooperation in fields of infrastructure, energy, disaster manment, defence, security, culture, and capacity building. Mongolian President Battulga will also visit Agra and Bodh Gaya. 

READ I IN PICTURES: Rajnath Singh takes part in Archery in Mongolia; watches folk-dance, wrestling and samples madic fare

Consolidating ties

MEA, in a statement, said, "India and Mongolia had established a Strategic Partnership in 2015 during visit of Prime Minister Modi to Mongolia. A number of high-level exchanges have taken place since n. partnership has seen considerable progress during last few years. India-Mongolia Strategic Partnership is based on ideals of freedom and democracy and on a strong foundation of our shared Buddhist herit. India is executing an Oil Refinery Project under its Line of Credit of US$ 1 billion anunced during visit of Prime Minister Modi in 2015."

Mongolia has been previously visited by former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj in April 2018, former home minister Rajnath Singh in June 2018, and former minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju in July 2018. 

READ I PM Modi's UNGA Speech To Be On 'Global Role And Global Expectations'