Mexico embraces Modi amid chants of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome by the Indian community in Mexico on Thursday.

Modi, who is in Mexico on the final leg of his five-nation tour during which he will hold talks with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on key bilateral issues including India's NSG membership bid, was greeted by the Indian community amid chants of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'.

"I thank the Indian community in Mexico City for a very warm welcome," tweeted Prime Minister Modi.

"It's an honour to welcome you to our country, PM Narendra Modi. I trust that your stay in Mexico will be both productive and pleasant," tweeted Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.

Interacting with a boisterous crowd waiting outside the hotel, the prime minister also clicked photographs with them.

"Memorable welcome for PM Narendra Modi in Mexico City. The enthusiastic Indian community turns out in large numbers," tweeted the Prime Minister's Office.

"Reached Mexico City. The visit is brief but substantial ground will be covered in my talks with @PresidenciaMX: PM," a tweet by the Prime Minister's Office said.

Earlier in the day, Mexico's Foreign Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu received the prime minister at the airport.

"Hola Mexico! PM @narendramodi lands in Mexico city for an important evening of diplomacy," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

"A familiar face. PM @narendramodi is received by Ms Claudia Ruiz Massieu Salinas, Foreign Minister," Swarup said in another tweet.

This is the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister after 1986 when then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had visited that country.

In 2012, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had visited Mexico to attend the G20 summit.

"I look forward to meeting President Peña Nieto on June 8 during my visit to Mexico, a privileged partner in the Latin American region," Modi had said ahead of his five nation tour that also took him to Afghanistan, Qatar, Switzerland and the US.

"President Pena Nieto has ushered in far reaching reforms. I look forward to sharing our experiences. This is the first Prime Ministerial bilateral visit to Mexico after 30 years. Though short, the visit has a substantial agenda to take our partnership to new heights," he said.