On October 14, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa engaged in significant discussions in New Delhi, marking a pivotal moment in the relationship between India and Mongolia. This visit celebrated 70 years of diplomatic ties and included the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), cultural exchanges, and initiatives aimed at boosting connectivity, development, and the bonds between our people.
Historical Ties and Milestones
• India was among the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Mongolia in 1955, and over the years, this relationship has flourished.
• In 2015, during PM Modi’s trip to Mongolia, the partnership was upgraded to a Strategic Partnership, which brought substantial developmental support, including a generous $1 billion credit line.
• The 2025 visit not only commemorates 70 years of bilateral relations but also marks a decade of strategic partnership, showcasing a well-established and dynamic connection.
Key Agreements and Initiatives
India and Mongolia signed ten memorandums of understanding (MoUs) covering a range of important areas, including:
• Humanitarian aid
• Restoration of heritage sites
• Immigration cooperation
• Geology and mineral resource exploration
• Promotion of cooperatives
• Digital cooperation and sharing of solutions
One MoU was signed to enhance ties between Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) and Arkhangai province of Mongolia that has a significant Buddhist population and heritage.
Energy and Infrastructure
• India has reaffirmed its commitment to a $1.7 billion oil refinery project in Mongolia.
• This will be Mongolia’s first major refinery, with plans to process 1.5 million metric tons of crude oil each year, aiming to be operational by 2028.
• The project is set to enhance Mongolia’s energy independence while also expanding India’s economic presence in the region.
• Additionally, India has shown interest in exploring oil and gas opportunities in Mongolia, hinting at future collaborations in natural resources.
Digital and Educational Diplomacy
- A significant MoU for digital cooperation was signed to improve e-governance and digital public infrastructure.
- India will also take on the task of digitizing one million ancient Mongolian manuscripts and will send a Sanskrit teacher to Mongolia’s Gandan Monastery for a year, aiming to strengthen both academic and spiritual connections.
Cultural and Spiritual Outreach
- Highlighting their shared Buddhist heritage, both leaders emphasised linking Nalanda University with Mongolia’s Gandan Monastery.
- India announced it would send the holy relics of Arahants Sariputra and Maudgalyayana to Mongolia in 2026.
- To deepen cultural exchange, India will sponsor annual visits of young Mongolian cultural ambassadors and has made e-visas free for Mongolian citizens, easing travel and fostering people-to-people connections.
- A set of commemorative stamps was also jointly released to mark 70 years of India–Mongolia relations.
