Mongolian Prime Minister Chimed Saikhanbileg on Sunday said the horse gifted to his visiting counterpart Narendra Modi has been named 'kanthaka' as this was the name of Gautam Buddha's horse, adding that it is very symbolic between the two sides.
"We decided to give the name 'kanthaka' to this horse because this name is God Buddha's horse name. And it is very symbolic between our countries," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier received a horse named 'kanthaka' from his Mongolian counterpart.
MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted a photograph of the unusual gift, saying, "A special gift for a special visitor!Mongolian PM gifts a horse to PM @narendramodi."
The Prime Minister, too, tweeted a photograph of the 'gift' he received.
"With Kanthaka, a gift from Mongolia," he said.
Prime Minister Modi had earlier received a musical instrument, Morin Khuur, from President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj of Mongolia.
