Ulan Bator, May 17
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was gifted a brown horse, Kanthaka, by Mongolian Prime Minister Chimed Saikhanbileg at the Mini Naadam sporting festival on Sunday.

"With Kanthaka, a gift from Mongolia," tweeted Modi.

External affairs ministry spokesperson tweeted Vikas Swarup: "A special gift for a special visitor! Mongolian PM gifts a horse to PM."

Modi, who was attired in traditional Mongolian costume, topped with a sola hat, posed smilingly with the horse, with the Mongolian premier next to him at the Chingisiin Khuree Camp, 25 km from capital Ulan Bator.

Modi shoots arrows at Mongolia's Mini Naadam festival

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday shot arrows as he tried his hand at archery at the traditional Mongolian Mini Naadam festival near here.

Attired in traditional Mongolian costume, topped with a sola hat and accompanied by Mongolian Premier Chimed Saikhanbileg, Modi held the bow and shot an arrow with confidence.

Saikhanbileg and others, including India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who were watching keenly, applauded smilingly.

Saikhanbileg also tried his hand at archery.

"Not to be outdone, Mongolian PM Saikhanbileg also takes aim," tweeted external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

Modi and the Mongolian premier also watched sporting events of wrestling, archery and horse riding at the Chingisiin Khuree Camp, 25 km from capital Ulan Bator.

Saikhanbileg presented Modi with a Mongolian horse, Kanthaka. "With Kanthaka, a gift from Mongolia," Modi tweeted.

Later, Modi and Saikhanbileg had a quiet chat in the midst of the vast expanse of the camp.

"Steppes pe charcha! PM @narendramodi and PM Saikhanbileg deep in conversation during the Mini-Naadam Festival," Swarup tweeted.

Naadam is Mongolia's biggest festival and is held in mid-summer. Modi is the first Indian prime minister to visit Mongolia.

The landlocked country is sandwiched between China and Russia, with both of whom it has frosty relations.

Visit has given new strength, momentum to ties: Modi in Mongolia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his visit to Mongolia, the first by an Indian prime minister, has given their ancient ties "new strength and momentum".

In a speech at the state dinner hosted by Mongolian Prime Minister Chimed Saikhanbileg at his office residence Ikh Tenger, Modi said, "In space of a day, we have given our ancient relationship new strength and momentum", according to a tweet by external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

The Mongolian premier, in his speech, said 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".

"We cherish the holy waters of the Ganga river as an elixir and the magnificent Himalaya mountain ranges as the 'Roof of the Earth'. Through the teachings of the Lord Buddha, ancient Indian philosophy, culture and manuscripts has prevailed extensively in the steppes of Mongolia," the premier said.

"Regardless of the geographical distance that separates us, we have been always bound close together with the affinity and mutual warm feelings while attaining stronger bonds of friendly relationship," Saikhanbileg said, according to the text of his speech tweeted by the external affairs ministry.

Earlier, at the community reception at the Buyant Ukhaa Stadium, Modi said: "If I had not visited Mongolia, my tour would have been incomplete. Our traditional and spiritual links run deep."

Modi is on a three-nation tour to China, Mongolia and South Korea.

He praised spiritual guru Ravi Shankar for introducing his Art of Living across the world, including in Mongolia.

Modi, who watched a yoga performance in the stadium, said: "I was seeing the Surya Namaskar. I saw people from all age groups were doing it and spreading the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam."

He said the International Day of Yoga would be observed for the first time on June 21.

Modi had proposed a yoga day during his speech at the UN General Assembly last year, which was adopted by the world body with most countries voting for it.