India Mongolia Relations Explained

The President of Mongolia recently undertook a state visit to India, commemorating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the India-Mongolia strategic partnership. This visit marked a major milestone in India-Mongolia relations, highlighting deepening cooperation across defence, energy, economic, cultural, and skill development sectors.

For SSC aspirants, understanding the nuances of this visit is important, as it reflects India’s foreign policy and international strategic partnerships.

Key Outcomes of the President of Mongolia’s Visit to India

1. Defence & Security Cooperation

• One of the most significant outcomes of the visit was strengthening India-Mongolia defence collaboration.

• India launched a capacity-building programme for Mongolia’s border security forces and enhanced defence ties through training programmes and a defence attaché at the Indian Embassy.

• Annual joint exercises, including Nomadic Elephant and Khaan Quest, further underscore India-Mongolia defence and security cooperation, helping Mongolia strengthen its border security and peacekeeping capabilities.

2. Energy Security

• Energy cooperation was another focus of the visit.

• The two countries confirmed the USD 1.7 billion Oil Refinery Project in Mongolia, funded by an Indian Line of Credit.

• This is India’s largest global development partnership and a key milestone in India-Mongolia energy cooperation, ensuring Mongolia’s energy security while providing Indian companies with strategic investment opportunities.

3. Economic Partnership

• Bilateral trade between India and Mongolia has seen steady growth, reaching USD 111 million in 2024. Key areas of cooperation include critical minerals, rare earth elements, and coking coal.

• India is exploring logistical routes through Vladivostok (Russia) and Tianjin port (China) to import Mongolian coking coal efficiently.

• These initiatives reflect the broader India-Mongolia economic and trade partnership, emphasising the potential for long-term economic collaboration.

4. Cultural and Educational Cooperation

• Cultural ties have been strengthened through various initiatives.

• India will send holy relics of Lord Buddha’s disciples, Sariputra and Maudgalyayana, to Mongolia and a Sanskrit teacher to the Gandan Monastery.

• A project to digitise one million ancient Mongolian manuscripts has also been launched.

• Additionally, an MoU between the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and Arkhangai Province will boost India-Mongolia cultural relations.

• Educational and skill development initiatives, such as the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Centre of Excellence for IT and the India-Mongolia Friendship School, further strengthen India-Mongolia cultural and educational exchange programmes.

5. Strategic and Diplomatic Significance

• India-Mongolia diplomacy is strengthened by Mongolia’s support for India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

• Both countries signed agreements under the International Big Cat Alliance and International Solar Alliance frameworks.

• These steps highlight the broader India-Mongolia strategic connectivity and development projects, enhancing bilateral cooperation on regional and global issues.

Overview of Mongolia

Mongolia is a landlocked country in Asia, bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south. Known as the “Land of the Eternal Blue Sky”, it features the Gobi Desert in the south and experiences extremely low rainfall. Most Mongolians practise nomadic herding and live in traditional yurts (gers). Festivals like Naadam celebrate sports and cultural traditions, including horse racing. Mongolia is also rich in wildlife, including Bactrian camels, snow leopards, and musk deer.

Historically, the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan expanded across Asia and Europe. Trade and cultural exchanges between India and Mongolia date back centuries, with Buddhist monks and Indian traders visiting Mongolia during the Hunnu State and the Great Mongol Empire.

Current Status of India-Mongolia Relations

India-Mongolia bilateral relations were formally established in 1955, with India being the first country outside the Socialist bloc to do so. India supported Mongolia’s membership in the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Annual joint defence exercises, trade cooperation, humanitarian assistance, and cultural exchanges reflect the ongoing India-Mongolia ties. These initiatives highlight the long-standing India-Mongolia relations in defence, trade, and culture, making it a strategic partnership in Asia.

Challenges in Deepening India-Mongolia Relations

Several factors impede a stronger India-Mongolia partnership:

1. Geographical & Logistical Challenges: Being landlocked, Mongolia’s imports and exports must pass through Russia or China, increasing costs.

2. Economic Scale & Trade Volume: Bilateral trade remains modest (~USD 110 million) compared to Mongolia’s trade with China.

3. Geopolitical Sensitivity: Mongolia’s “Third Neighbour” policy relies on India for balance, but deepening ties may provoke neighbouring powers.

4. Project Implementation Risks: Large projects, such as the oil refinery, are susceptible to delays and political instability.

Measures to Deepen India-Mongolia Relations

India can strengthen India Mongolia through:

• Investing in Mongolia’s rare earth and mineral resources.

• Launching direct flights and digital infrastructure collaboration.

• Expanding defence exercises on cold-desert warfare and peacekeeping.

• Promoting cultural links and heritage restoration.

• Sharing agricultural expertise to improve food security.

Final Thoughts

The President of Mongolia recently visited India, marking 70 years of diplomatic relations and a decade of India-Mongolia strategic partnership. The visit strengthened India-Mongolia relations across defence, energy, trade, culture, and education. India launched a capacity-building program for Mongolia’s border security forces and confirmed the USD 1.7 billion Oil Refinery Project, enhancing Mongolia’s energy security.

Economic cooperation focused on critical minerals, rare earth elements, and coking coal, while cultural ties were boosted through Buddhist relic exchanges, Sanskrit teaching, and manuscript digitisation projects.

The partnership highlights growing India-Mongolia bilateral relations and strategic collaboration in the regional and global context.