On his way to the State Palace, Modi stopped at the Gandan Monastery to have a chat with the Hamba Lama ‒ the Mongolian equivalent of the Dalai Lama. Outside the monastery, Modi planted a sapling grafted from the Bodhi tree from Bodh Gaya.
The Mongolian sojourn begins with the Boddhisatva of compassion. PM at the Gandan Monastery with the Hamba Lama pic.twitter.com/ixk1BbQxck
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) May 16, 2015
And outside, gifting a Bodhi tree sapling to the Hamba Lama pic.twitter.com/CGAe1xVQSx
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) May 17, 2015
Modi had a chat with President Elbegdorj before sitting down for lunch.
An important chat before lunch. PM @narendramodi with President Elbegdorj pic.twitter.com/HDsDuy6hPH — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) May 17, 2015
President @elbegdorj and I say hello! pic.twitter.com/pOLjONQRIB — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 17, 2015
Once the official discussions and meeting were over ‒ that included a line of credit worth $1 billion to Mongolia for the expansion of their economic capacity and infrastructure ‒ Modi got down to having fun. The prime minister went on to teach President Elbegdorj some "selfie diplomacy" and even tried his hand on the morin khuur, a traditional fiddle.
A lesson in selfie diplomacy. President Elbegdorj gets tips from. PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/fBYxNQQ0ie — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) May 17, 2015
In Japan he tried his hand on the drum. In Mongolia PM @narendramodi tries his hand on the morin khuur pic.twitter.com/jxjrRYcr5h — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) May 17, 2015
That was not the only instrument he tried his hand on, though:
and now PM @narendramodi tries his hand at Yoochin! https://t.co/0DLWzN6a5w — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) May 17, 2015
After laying the foundation stone for the Vajpayee ICT Training Centre, Modi moved on to outdoor activities. Along with the prime minister of Mongolia, Chimediin Saikhanbileg, Modi enjoyed some time at the Mini-Naadam Festival, where he was seen "aiming for the sweet spot". The Mongolian prime minister also joined in on the action
The synchrony of nature & culture, in the Mongolian steppes. Indian & Mongolian PM's at the Mini-Naadam Festival. pic.twitter.com/A13xvENaXJ — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) May 17, 2015
Aiming for the sweet spot. PM @narendramodi tries his hand at archery at the Mini-Naadam Festival pic.twitter.com/BJlnQGAtEY — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) May 17, 2015
Not to be outdone, Mongolian PM Saikhanbileg also takes aim #Mininaadamfestival pic.twitter.com/KWHU6Ilqpn — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) May 17, 2015
Modi also got some to spend some time with a horse named Kanthaka. It was a special gift from the Mongolian prime minister.
A special gift for a special visitor!Mongolian PM gifts a horse to PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/Cw8ValMUQe
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) May 17, 2015
The two leaders then had a moment alone in the middle of the vast grounds where the festival was being held.
Steppes pe charcha! PM @narendramodi and PM Saikhanbileg deep in conversation during the Mini-Naadam Festival pic.twitter.com/H8KQlpek7Z
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) May 17, 2015
As is with every trip, Twitter made fun of Prime Minister Modi.
“I’m the reverse Robin Hood. I rob the poor and give to the rich!” pic.twitter.com/0uGHK7qeuo
— Overrated Outcast (@over_rated) May 17, 2015
“Someone asked me what I was doing when all that bad shit was going down in 2002 and I was like, let me show you!” pic.twitter.com/DN2I7NlYUK
— Overrated Outcast (@over_rated) May 17, 2015
Pic 1: Modi Ji released the arrow. Pic 2: Sunny atmosphere turned into Cloudy & about to rain. #ModiInMongolia pic.twitter.com/schOPWEXJg
— ThakurSaab. (@HathwalaThakur) May 17, 2015