Modi shoots arrows at Mongolia's Mini Naadam festival

PM Modi at a traditional Mongolian festival

Ulan Bator, May 17 (IANS) 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.