India Grants $1 Bn Credit To Mongolia; Deepens Defence Ties

"I was very pleased with my discussions with Prime Minister today. We have strong convergence of views on bilateral relations and our regional and international partnership," he said.

"The agreements that we have just signed speak to the depth of the relationship. These cover economic relations, development partnership, defence and security, and people-to-people contacts," the Prime Minister added.

Modi also called on President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj and discussed bilateral ties and issues of mutual interests.

India and Mongolia support the evolution of open, balanced and inclusive security architecture in the Asia Pacific region based on collected efforts, considering legitimate interests of all states of the region guided by respect for norms and principles of international law, the joint statement said.

Prime Minister Modi later addressed the State Great Hural, the Mongolian Parliament, which was specially convened on Sunday, a holiday, for the first time for a foreign leader.

"Our security cooperation is growing. We can learn a great deal from each other. No one can doubt the well-known skills of Mongols! We are proud to conduct defence exercises together. And, I am pleased that we have signed agreements today to cooperate more closely on border security and cyber security," he told the lawmakers.

He said India would also help establish a cyber security centre in Mongolia's defence and security establishment.

Asia "is a continent that is expected to lead the world in the 21st century... Yet, this is also a region that lives on the uneasy edge of uncertainty, of unsettled questions, of unresolved disputes and of unforgotten memories," he said.

In the joint statement, Modi and Saikhanbileg said the nature and spread of terrorism posed a threat to all humanity and required global resolve and cooperative measures of the world community without double standards or selectivity.

They agreed to direct concerned officials to work together for the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. They hoped that all safe havens and sanctuaries for terrorists would be wiped out without delay.

A treaty was inked by the two sides on the transfer of sentenced persons.

On economic cooperation, Modi and Saikhanbileg agreed to encourage development of equal and mutually beneficial trade, investment and economic cooperation, which is balanced, sustainable and leads to prosperity in both countries.
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