Modi in Mongolia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Chinggis Khan International Airport, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on May 16, 2015.IANS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described Mongolia as the new bright light among the world's democracies.

"Mongolia is the new bright light of democracy in our world," Modi said while addressing Mongolian parliament which was specially opened for his visit, the first by an Indian prime minister.

He described India-Mongolia ties as timeless in spirit and described the two nations as "spiritual neighbours".

"Bonds of heart and minds have the strength to overcome the barriers of distance," he said.

However, he said: "While the human bonds have been strong, our economic ties have been modest."

He he expressed the hope that ties between New delhi and Ulan Bator "will progress along every avenue of the new age".