India and Mongolia mark 70 years of diplomatic relations with energy, cultural, and development pacts — a partnership rooted in shared Buddhist heritage and growing strategic trust….reports Asian Lite News
India and Mongolia took a decisive step forward in reinforcing their long-standing friendship, announcing a series of cultural, economic, and developmental initiatives during the four-day state visit of Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa to India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said both nations were poised to “deepen cooperation across all sectors,” marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 10th year of their strategic partnership.
During their talks in New Delhi, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations encompassing defence, trade, energy security, culture, and people-to-people exchange. A commemorative postage stamp was also released to celebrate the seven decades of partnership.
Energy ties, other projects
At the heart of the bilateral agenda was the $1.7 billion Mongolian Oil Refinery Project, India’s largest Line of Credit (LoC)-backed initiative globally. The project, located in Sainshand, Dornogovi Province, is expected to be operational by 2028 and will meet nearly 70 per cent of Mongolia’s domestic fuel needs, reducing its heavy dependence on imports.
MEA Secretary (East) P. Kumaran said that while the project initially faced delays due to the pandemic and Mongolia’s harsh winters, civil works were now nearly complete, and refinery equipment manufactured in India would soon be shipped. “This refinery stands as a flagship symbol of Mongolia-India cooperation and is of strategic importance for Mongolia’s energy security and prosperity,” he said.
Highlighting India’s role as a “reliable partner in Mongolia’s development,” Prime Minister Modi said over 2,500 Indian professionals are currently working with their Mongolian counterparts to complete the refinery, which represents a new chapter in South-South cooperation.
The two sides also explored collaboration in critical minerals, including coking coal, uranium, copper, and gold. India is evaluating transport routes through Russia’s Vladivostok port for potential coal imports from landlocked Mongolia. “We are talking to the Russians and the Mongolians to see what kind of arrangements can be made through the Trans-Siberian Railway,” Kumaran noted.
Cultural linkages
Beyond economic ties, the visit underscored the spiritual and cultural bonds between the two Buddhist nations. In a gesture of goodwill, India announced it would send the holy relics of Arhant Sariputta and Arhant Mahamogallana to Mongolia in 2026, following the historic exposition of the Kapilavastu relics in 2022.
India will also depute a Sanskrit teacher to the Gandan Monastery in Ulaanbaatar for a year to enhance monastic Sanskrit learning and launch an ICCR youth orientation trip for eight Mongolian students and faculty. To mark the diplomatic milestone, 70 additional ITEC training slots have been granted to Mongolian nationals.
The Prime Minister also announced free e-visas for Mongolian citizens and an annual sponsored visit for young cultural ambassadors from Mongolia to India. “Even though we do not share a border, India has always considered Mongolia a close neighbour,” Modi said, adding that the partnership was rooted in shared values and spiritual kinship.
The two nations also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and Mongolia’s Arkhangai Province, aimed at fostering cultural exchanges and Buddhist collaboration. Ten MoUs in total were signed, covering sectors such as yoga, culture, geology, humanitarian aid, and the renovation of the historic Bogd Khan Palace.
Connectivity, trade and climate
Trade and connectivity received fresh impetus with the announcement that Mongolian Air Carrier would begin operating flights to New Delhi and Amritsar later this year. President Ukhnaa said the move would “make a substantial contribution to tourism and business cooperation.”
Bilateral trade between the two countries nearly doubled from USD 60 million in 2023 to USD 110 million in 2024, with both sides aiming to expand cooperation in mining, renewable energy, dairy, and digital technology. India also confirmed that it will appoint a resident Defence Attache in Ulaanbaatar, fulfilling a long-standing Mongolian request and further enhancing defence ties.
In a symbolic act of environmental collaboration, Prime Minister Modi and President Ukhnaa planted a sapling together at Hyderabad House under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ and ‘One Billion Trees’ campaigns, symbolising their joint commitment to climate action.
Mongolia also signed the framework agreement to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA), recognising its vast solar potential with over 230 days of sunlight annually. The two countries are exploring joint renewable energy projects to advance sustainability.
Reinforcing shared global objectives, Mongolia reiterated its support for India’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council and backed its non-permanent candidature for 2028–29. It also joined the International Big Cat Alliance, reflecting mutual commitment to wildlife conservation.
President Droupadi Murmu hosted a state banquet in honour of President Ukhnaa at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where both leaders agreed that there was “great potential to deepen development partnerships and cultural ties.”
As the visit concluded, President Ukhnaa invited Prime Minister Modi to undertake a state visit to Mongolia, calling India a “spiritual neighbour” and “trusted friend.” Modi, in turn, hailed the relationship as “a bond built on trust, shared heritage, and mutual respect,” and reaffirmed India’s continued support for Mongolia’s sustainable growth and cultural preservation.
