Text of PM's Banquet speech in Ulaanbaatar

Published By : Admin | May 17, 2015 | 19:30 IST

Excellency, Prime Minister Chimad Saikhanbileg,
Members of the Cabinet,
Distinguished guests,

This is a memorable day for India, for my delegation and me.

In less than 24 hours, we have experienced true friendship.

We have seen rare grace and generosity of a great people.
We have experienced the beauty of your land.

We have nurtured our spiritual links. The visit to the Ganden monastery will be a source of joy forever.

We have soaked in the richness of your culture at the mini-Nadam festival.

We have seen the unity of spirit of our two nations and two people. I have seen thousands of Indians come together, when I have travelled to different cities.

For the first time, I have seen thousands of people of the host nation come together. And, that too, for an event based on India's ancient tradition.

Today, 1.25 billion people of India and the world have come to see the strength and the spirit of our relationship.

Ours is a relationship that is not measured on the scale of commerce or driven by competition against others.

It is a relationship of immeasurable positive energy that comes from our spiritual links and shared ideals.

It is the energy that seeks the well being of our two nations and the common good of the world.

This is a form of energy that has enormous power to be the force of peace, progress and prosperity in the world.

It is a force that can unite the world and direct our thoughts and efforts to the well being of the weak and the poor.

It can help preserve our beautiful planet.

The importance of a journey is not measured by the distance covered, but by the destination reached.

The visit may be short. But, the outcomes are substantive and significant.

In the course of one day, we have imparted our ancient relations new strength and momentum.

Our political understanding and commitment have become stronger. Our economic cooperation has scaled new heights. Our security cooperation has expanded.

The ties of hearts and minds have deepened.

Excellency, all this would not have been possible without the great leaders of Mongolia.

You have guided Mongolia through the turbulence that comes from transitions in history.

You have chosen the path of democracy. You have rekindled the spiritual heritage of your land.

You have guided Mongolia's international relationships with great wisdom.

Excellency, your personal leadership and guidance for this visit has made it a big success.

Your presence today at so many events added great sheen to them. It spoke of the special bonds between our countries.

This is a bond that will be the eternal flame of light and hope for our people and our world.

So, as we celebrate 25 years of democracy in Mongolia and 60 years of our diplomatic relations, we know that the best for relationship lies ahead of us.

With those words, let me raise a toast

- To the health and well being of the Prime Minister of Mongolia, His Excellency, Prime Minister Saikhanbileg

- To the progress and prosperity of our spiritual neighbours of Mongolia

- To the everlasting friendship between the people of India and Mongolia.

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The World This Week On India
February 25, 2025

This week, India reinforced its position as a formidable force on the world stage, making headway in artificial intelligence, energy security, space exploration, and defence. From shaping global AI ethics to securing strategic partnerships, every move reflects India's growing influence in global affairs.

And when it comes to diplomacy and negotiation, even world leaders acknowledge India's strength. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, known for his tough negotiating style, put it simply:

“[Narendra Modi] is a much tougher negotiator than me, and he is a much better negotiator than me. There’s not even a contest.”

With India actively shaping global conversations, let’s take a look at some of the biggest developments this week.

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The semiconductor industry is the backbone of modern technology, and India wants a bigger share of the pie. US chip toolmaker Lam Research announced a $1 billion investment in India, signalling confidence in the country’s potential to become a global chip manufacturing hub. As major companies seek alternatives to traditional semiconductor strongholds like Taiwan, India is positioning itself as a serious contender in the global supply chain.

Defence Partnerships: A New Era in US-India Military Ties

The US and India are expanding their defence cooperation, with discussions of a future F-35 fighter jet deal on the horizon. The latest agreements also include increased US military sales to India, strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations. Meanwhile, India is also deepening its energy cooperation with the US, securing new oil and gas import agreements that reinforce economic and security ties.

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With global energy markets facing volatility, India is taking steps to secure long-term energy stability. New multi-billion-dollar LNG agreements with ADNOC will provide India with a steady and reliable supply of natural gas, reducing its exposure to price fluctuations. As India moves toward a cleaner energy future, such partnerships are critical to maintaining energy security while keeping costs in check.

UAE Visa Waiver: A Boon for Indian Travelers

For Indians residing in Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, visiting the UAE just became a lot simpler. A new visa waiver, effective February 13, will save Dh750 per person and eliminate lengthy approval processes. This move makes travel to the UAE more accessible and strengthens business and cultural ties between the two countries.

A Gift of Friendship: Trump’s Gesture to Modi

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India is making its mark in unexpected ways, too. Vishvaa Rajakumar, a 20-year-old Indian college student, stunned the world by memorizing 80 random numbers in just 13.5 seconds, winning the Memory League World Championship. His incredible feat underscores India’s growing reputation for mental agility and cognitive

excellence on the global stage.

India isn’t just participating in global affairs—it’s shaping them. Whether it’s setting ethical AI standards, securing energy independence, leading in space exploration, or expanding defence partnerships, the country is making bold, strategic moves that solidify its role as a global leader.

As the world takes note of India’s rise, one thing is clear: this journey is just getting started.