Ulaanbaatar: President Pratibha Patil
on Thursday said India is determined to deepen its economic ties
with its "strategic partner" Mongolia, drawing deeply from the
common heritage of the two nations.
"Today, we wish to further strengthen these as well as
forge new ties in the field of trade and investment," Patil,
who arrived here yesterday on a three-day visit, said at a
banquet hosted by Mongolia President Tsakhia Elbegdorj.
The President praised the Mongolian government for its
efforts in transiting to a fast emerging market economy.
"India remains resolute in its endeavor to further
deepen and diversify relations with Mongolia drawing deeply
from the fountain of our common heritage and building on our
common aspirations of prosperity and democracy," the President
underlined.
She said Mongolia is "an important strategic partner
of India in North East Asia" and "cherish and value our
partnership".
She pointed out India`s historic ties with Mongolia
through chords of Buddhism.
"We are deeply honoured and privileged that the
Mongolian people describe India as their `spiritual home`.
This is, indeed, a great tribute when one considers the great
distances that separates us geographically," the President
said.
She noted that the two countries share a democratic
outlook with respect for rule of law and human rights as well
as a vision of peace and stability in the region.
The Indian leader said the transition to market
economy and democracy in Mongolia has opened new opportunities
for multi-faceted cooperation.
The Indian President highlighted the role of the
Mongol leader Genghis Khan for his overland journey through
Asia and into Europe in the 13th century as a "historically
significant" event aimed to change the world forever.
"We, in India, have followed the journey of Mongolia
in the last two decades with great interest. We rejoice in
your achievements, as Mongolia today stands tall as a strong
and vibrant democracy," Patil said.
She congratulate Mongolia for assuming the Chair of
the Community of Democracies (CD) as she expressed India`s
determination to assist it.
CD is an intergovernmental organization of democracies
and democratizing countries with a stated commitment to
strengthening and deepening democratic norms and practices
worldwide.
The President held a series of meetings today with
Mongolian leadership to foster new ties.
Patil, who arrived here following her three-day visit
to South Korea, visited the historic Sukhbaatar square today
and offered floral tributes to a statue of Mahatma Gandhi near
here.
PTI
