A shot at archery, strumming a fiddle, getting the beats right with a percussion instrument, getting a handsome brown horse as gift, and yes there were selfies!
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mongolia on Sunday was replete with such interesting sidelights as he built up a rapport with the leadership of the strategic northeast Asian nation in the first visit by an Indian PM.Here are some photographs that capture the essence of Modi's day out in Mongolia.
Modi and Saikhanbileg pose during the Mini Naadam festival in Ulan Bator. Attired in a light blue-grey traditional robe-like dress with a white bowler hat to match --- the temperature hovering near 5 degrees Celsius and a bitingly cold wind blowing, Modi was seen thoroughly enjoying at the venue. (PTI Photo)
Modi (C) draws a bow next to Saikhanbileg (4th R) as they attend the festival on the outskirts of Ulan Bator. With an appreciative Mongolian Prime Minister standing next to him, Modi gamely offered to shoot an arrow, and did so confidently. Saikhanbileg and national security advisor Ajit Doval applauded smilingly. Saikhanbileg also tried his hand at shooting arrows. (Reuters)
Modi plays a traditional Mongolian music instrument, Yochin (a Mongolian board zither where strings are struck with two wooden sticks), at Mini Naadam Festival. (PTI Photo)
Modi looks at a handsome brown horse, Kanthaka, gifted to him by Prime Minister Saikhanbileg. Kanthaka was the name of the favourite horse of Prince Siddhartha, who later became Gautama Buddha. (PTI Photo)
Modi with his Mongolian counterpart Saikhanbileg at the festival. Later, the Mongolian premier said in his speech that Mongolians "take immense pride in our long historic and cultural bonds with the people of India and entertain profound regard towards India as a sacred land of Lord Buddha". (PTI Photo)
Modi pose for a group photo with the staff of National Cancer Center of Mongolia, in Ulan Bator. (PTI Photo)
Modi plays the traditional Mongolian instrument, 'Morin Khuur', in Ulan Bator. Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj gifted Modi a 'Morin Khuur'. (PTI Photo)
Modi takes a selfie with Mongolia President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, who retweeted a selfie. (PTI Photo)
Modi with a Mongolian child during a ceremonial welcome at State Palace in Ulan Bator. Modi also visited the Gandan Monastery and presented a sapling of the revered Mahabodhi tree to Head Abbot of the monastery. (PTI Photo)
Modi poses with monks for a group picture during his visit to the Gandan Monastery in Ulan Bator. Hamba Lama D Choijamts held the Prime Minister's hand and took him around the Vajra Tara temple inside the monastery premises where the Indian leader paid obeisance. (PTI Photo)
Modi handed over a Bodhi tree sapling to Hamba Lama during the visit to the Gandan Monastery. Gandan is the largest and most significant monastery in Mongolia. Built in the mid-19th century, it is the only monastery where Buddhist services continued to function even during the Communist period. (PTI Photo)
Mongolian PM Saikhanbileg (R) accompanies Indian PM Modi (C) during a welcoming ceremony at the Chinggis Square in Ulan Bator. The two countries called for regular consultations and dialogue between the defence ministries and other relevant organisations. (AFP Photo)
Modi addresses the Mongolian Parliament in Ulan Bator. He said the relationship between India and Mongolia was not driven by competition against others, but it was a relationship of immeasurable positive energy that came from their spiritual links and shared ideals. (PTI Photo)
Saikhanbileg (L) and Modi inspect a guard of honour during a welcoming ceremony outside the national Parliament building at Sukhbaatar square, in Ulan Bator. During Modi's visit, India announced a credit line of $1 billion to Mongolia to expand its economic capacity and infrastructure, as they decided to upgrade their relationship from comprehensive to "strategic partnership". (Reuters)
Modi walks with his Mongolian counterpart as they inspect the guard of honour. Asserting that Mongolia is an integral part of India's Act East Policy, Modi said the destinies of the two countries were closely linked with the future of Asia Pacific Region. (PTI Photo)
Modi being welcomed on his arrival at the National Cancer Center of Mongolia, in Ulan Bator. (PTI Photo)
Modi (C) claps as officials of India (L) and Mongolia shake hands during a signing ceremony at the national Parliament building, in Ulan Bator. Later, in his dinner speech, Modi said: "In less than 24 hours, we have experienced true friendship." (Reuters)
Modi with his Mongolian counterpart Saikhanbileg at the festival. Later, the Mongolian premier said in his speech that Mongolians "take immense pride in our long historic and cultural bonds with the people of India and entertain profound regard towards India as a sacred land of Lord Buddha". (PTI Photo)Modi pose for a group photo with the staff of National Cancer Center of Mongolia, in Ulan Bator. (PTI Photo)Modi plays the traditional Mongolian instrument, 'Morin Khuur', in Ulan Bator. Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj gifted Modi a 'Morin Khuur'. (PTI Photo)Modi takes a selfie with Mongolia President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, who retweeted a selfie. (PTI Photo)Modi with a Mongolian child during a ceremonial welcome at State Palace in Ulan Bator. Modi also visited the Gandan Monastery and presented a sapling of the revered Mahabodhi tree to Head Abbot of the monastery. (PTI Photo)Modi poses with monks for a group picture during his visit to the Gandan Monastery in Ulan Bator. Hamba Lama D Choijamts held the Prime Minister's hand and took him around the Vajra Tara temple inside the monastery premises where the Indian leader paid obeisance. (PTI Photo)Modi handed over a Bodhi tree sapling to Hamba Lama during the visit to the Gandan Monastery. Gandan is the largest and most significant monastery in Mongolia. Built in the mid-19th century, it is the only monastery where Buddhist services continued to function even during the Communist period. (PTI Photo)Mongolian PM Saikhanbileg (R) accompanies Indian PM Modi (C) during a welcoming ceremony at the Chinggis Square in Ulan Bator. The two countries called for regular consultations and dialogue between the defence ministries and other relevant organisations. (AFP Photo)Modi addresses the Mongolian Parliament in Ulan Bator. He said the relationship between India and Mongolia was not driven by competition against others, but it was a relationship of immeasurable positive energy that came from their spiritual links and shared ideals. (PTI Photo)Saikhanbileg (L) and Modi inspect a guard of honour during a welcoming ceremony outside the national Parliament building at Sukhbaatar square, in Ulan Bator. During Modi's visit, India announced a credit line of $1 billion to Mongolia to expand its economic capacity and infrastructure, as they decided to upgrade their relationship from comprehensive to "strategic partnership". (Reuters)Modi walks with his Mongolian counterpart as they inspect the guard of honour. Asserting that Mongolia is an integral part of India's Act East Policy, Modi said the destinies of the two countries were closely linked with the future of Asia Pacific Region. (PTI Photo)Modi being welcomed on his arrival at the National Cancer Center of Mongolia, in Ulan Bator. (PTI Photo)Modi (C) claps as officials of India (L) and Mongolia shake hands during a signing ceremony at the national Parliament building, in Ulan Bator. Later, in his dinner speech, Modi said: "In less than 24 hours, we have experienced true friendship." (Reuters)
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Modi visit: India to open $1bn credit line to Mongolia