New Delhi (ABC Live): When Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh to New Delhi in October 2025, it was much more than a diplomatic event. The meeting marked 70 years of diplomatic relations and 10 years of strategic partnership between the two nations. In his speech, Modi said India and Mongolia are “spiritual siblings”—a phrase that captured the emotional and cultural depth of this relationship. But beyond emotion, the visit showed how India’s friendship with Mongolia now has real strategic meaning—in energy, security, and regional diplomacy.

Historical Roots of Friendship

The story of India–Mongolia friendship goes back thousands of years.
Buddhist monks once carried teachings from India’s Nalanda to the Mongolian steppe, linking the Himalayas with the Gobi.
In modern times, India was one of the first countries to recognise Mongolia’s independence in 1955 and supported its UN membership in 1961.
The 1971 Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation built an official foundation, and in 2015, Modi’s visit to Ulaanbaatar upgraded ties to a Strategic Partnership.
Now, in 2025, that partnership has entered a more practical phase—rooted in projects, trade, and shared values.

Why Now — The Global Setting

ABC Live publishes this report now because the October 2025 state visit reflects a major shift in how India looks at its “extended neighbourhood.”
The world is changing fast. Mongolia, caught between China and Russia, is looking for partners that respect its independence.
India, meanwhile, is searching for reliable friends in Central and East Asia to secure energy and minerals.
Both are democracies. Both are part of the Global South. And both want balanced partnerships, not dependencies.
This timing, therefore, is not random—it shows how ancient trust is meeting modern strategy.

Shared Heritage, Shared Vision

The visit began with a warm gesture.
President Khurelsukh planted a banyan tree under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, honouring his mother and symbolising friendship that grows stronger with time.
Prime Minister Modi called it a “spiritual moment” linking two civilizations through Buddhism and environmental respect.
Together, the two leaders showed that faith and ecology can form the foundation of diplomacy.

Energy and Minerals — The Backbone of Partnership

At the centre of cooperation stands the Mongol Refinery, near Sainshand.

• Investment: US $1.7 billion (Indian line of credit)

• Capacity: Around 1.5 million tonnes per year

• Target: Operations by 2028 【Reuters / MEA】

The refinery is India’s largest development project abroad.
It will help Mongolia produce its own fuel and reduce imports from Russia.
Over 2,500 Indian engineers are already working on-site, proving that this project is real and moving.
In addition, India and Mongolia are now exploring rare earths, uranium, and coking coal 【The Wire / StratNews Global】—key materials for clean energy and defence.
This mix of oil, minerals, and technology makes the partnership both practical and future-oriented.

Defence and Security Cooperation

Security ties are growing steadily.
India has posted a Defence Attaché in Ulaanbaatar and started training Mongolia’s border forces 【ET / Business Standard】.
Joint exercises—Nomadic Elephant and Khaan Quest—help both armies share skills in peacekeeping and high-altitude missions.
Both countries also support a free and open Indo-Pacific, believing that cooperation, not control, brings stability.
As a result, defence ties now stand on firm ground.

Culture and Knowledge Power

Culture remains the soul of the India–Mongolia story.
India will send to Mongolia in 2026 the holy relics of Śāriputra and Maudgalyāyana 【PM India】—two of the Buddha’s chief disciples.
A Sanskrit teacher will join the Gandan Monastery, and both countries will work together to digitise one million ancient Buddhist manuscripts.
They also plan to link Nalanda University with the monastery for joint studies.
Meanwhile, an MoU between the Ladakh Hill Council and the Arkhangai Province will expand cultural cooperation at the local level.
These actions show that heritage is not just about the past—it is also an investment in shared learning and peace.

People and Connectivity

India has introduced free e-visas for Mongolian citizens and will host an annual youth ambassador programme 【MEA Briefing】.
These steps make it easier for students, professionals, and artists to travel and collaborate.
Tourism, especially Buddhist tourism, is also expected to rise.
When people meet and exchange ideas, friendships outlast politics—and that is the goal.

Working Together for the Planet

The tree planted during the visit was not just symbolic—it represented a shared environmental vision.
Both countries plan to work together in renewables, biochar projects, and desert restoration.
Mongolia’s vast steppes offer space for solar and wind energy, while India brings technical know-how.
Together, they aim to build climate solutions that others in the Global South can follow.

Challenges and Adaptation

Of course, no partnership is without challenges.
Mongolia’s winters can drop below –30 °C, slowing construction 【Deccan Herald】.
Transporting heavy equipment through Russian routes can be costly.
However, India’s modular construction techniques and plans for multi-modal transport corridors via Kazakhstan are helping reduce delays.
What makes this partnership special is its ability to solve problems through patience and innovation.

Key Deliverables 2025

The Road Ahead (2026 – 2030)

After the refinery begins operations in 2028, India plans to help Mongolia build local industries and skill centres.
Both sides will expand work on critical minerals for EV batteries and clean energy.
Defence exchanges and staff training will continue under new peacekeeping courses.
Meanwhile, the relics tour of 2026 is expected to increase tourism and goodwill.
Step by step, this partnership is turning into one of Asia’s most balanced and people-centred alliances.

Strategic Meaning

India and Mongolia may not share a border, but they share values—democracy, respect for culture, and belief in peaceful development.
India sees Mongolia as a friendly democracy in Eurasia; Mongolia sees India as a partner that treats it as equal.
Together, they offer a model for cooperation without coercion—an example the Global South can proudly follow.

Policy Directions

For India:

1. Create an Inner-Asia Coordination Cell for better project tracking.
2. Build a Nalanda–Gandan Knowledge Centre to promote Buddhist studies and research.
3. Apply clear ESG standards in all energy and mining projects.

For Mongolia:

1. Turn the refinery into a skills hub for engineers and technicians.
2. Diversify exports towards India, Japan, and the EU.
3. Adopt Indian best practices in border-security training and peacekeeping.

Conclusion — Heritage Meets Strategy

In his October 2025 address, Prime Minister Modi said,

“Even though we do not share a border, India has always considered Mongolia a close neighbour.”
Those words summarise the spirit of this partnership: old in culture, young in ambition.
Faith, democracy, and development now move together.
From the monasteries of Gandan to the oil fields of Sainshand, India and Mongolia are writing a story of friendship that is both soulful and strategic.

Why ABC Live Is Publishing This Report and How It Is Unique

ABC Live is publishing this report now because the October 2025 state visit marked a turning point in India’s Eurasian outreach.
While most media coverage focused on ceremonies, this report connects the dots between heritage, energy, defence, and environmental cooperation.
Using the ABC Live Performance Audit Model, we evaluate not just policy announcements but also their economic and social impact.
This report forms part of ABC Live’s ongoing series on India’s Eurasian Strategy and aims to show how partnerships built on respect can shape the Global South’s future.

Visit Reference (APA Style)

1. Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs. (2025, October 13–16). State Visit of the President of Mongolia, H.E. Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, to India. New Delhi: MEA Press Release. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl%2F40195%2FState_Visit_of_the_President_of_Mongolia_HE_Khurelsukh_Ukhnaa_to_India_October_1316_2025=
2. Government of India, Prime Minister’s Office. (2025, October 14). Press Statement by Prime Minister during the Joint Press Statement with the President of Mongolia. New Delhi: PM India. https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/press-statement-by-pm-during-the-joint-press-statement-with-the-president-of-mongolia/
3. Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs. (2025, October 14). Transcript of Special Briefing by MEA on the State Visit of the President of Mongolia to India. New Delhi: MEA Media Briefings. https://www.mea.gov.in/media-briefings.htm?dtl%2F40205%2FTranscript_of_Special_briefing_by_MEA_on_State_visit_of_President_of_Mongolia_to_India_October_14_2025=

References — Free Access Links

1. PM India. Press Statement by PM Modi during Joint Press with the President of Mongolia. pmindia.gov.in
2. MEA. Transcript of Special Briefing on State Visit of President of Mongolia (Oct 14 2025). mea.gov.in
3. Reuters. Indian-backed Oil Refinery in Mongolia to Begin Operations by 2028. reuters.com
4. Deccan Herald. Mongolia’s First Oil Refinery to Begin Operations by 2028. deccanherald.com
5. The Wire. India and Mongolia Discuss Uranium Cooperation, Review Oil Refinery Progress. m.thewire.in
6. The Diplomat. Mongolian President Khurelsukh’s India Visit Will Redefine Strategic Partnership. thediplomat.com
7. Business Standard. India Expands Mongolia Footprint with Defence Attaché, Energy Cooperation. business-standard.com
8. Tribune India. India-Funded Mongol Refinery to Begin Operations by 2028: MEA. tribuneindia.com
9. Economic Times. India to Train Mongolia’s Border Security Forces. m.economictimes.com
10. StratNews Global. India, Mongolia to Boost Defence & Security Ties; Collaborate in Critical Minerals. stratnewsglobal.com
11. Indian Express. India, Mongolia Ink 10 Pacts as Ties Deepen. indianexpress.com
12. Times of India. Mongolian President Arrives in Delhi, Accorded Guard of Honour. timesofindia.indiatimes.com
13. India News Stream. China Moves Drive India-Mongolia into Tighter Strategic Embrace. indianewsstream.com
14. MEA (2015). Joint Statement for India-Mongolia Strategic Partnership. mea.gov.in
15. Wikipedia. Mongol Refinery (Project Summary). en.wikipedia.org

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