Indian Council of World Affairs

Ms. Nutan Kapoor Mahawar, Additional Secretary Indian Council World Affairs, 

His Excellency Mr. Atul Malhari Gotsurve, Ambassador of India to Mongolia, 

His Excellency Mr. MP Singh, Former Ambassador, 

Hon’ble Excellencies,

Respected Professor Shashi Bala and Professor Sharad Kumar Soni,

Honourable Guests, Excellencies,

Eminent scholars and researchers,

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

Since I am speaking after the comprehensive and insightful remarks of the Additional Secretary and Ambassador Atul Malhari Gotsurve, I will endeavour to keep my remarks brief.

Our two countries share a long-standing and rich history of engagement that spans centuries. We refer to each other as Spiritual Neighbours, a term that reflects the deep cultural and civilizational ties between our peoples. In our contemporary relationship, we are proud to be commemorating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. The people of Mongolia continue to hold in high regard the principled support extended by India for Mongolia’s admission as a full member of the United Nations - support that was publicly affirmed from the rostrum of this universal organization.

Over the years, our relations have been marked by several historic and milestone visits, notably in 1994, 2004, and 2015. Today, our partnership has reached the level of a Strategic Partnership, providing a broad framework for deepening and expanding our cooperation across all sectors.

On this occasion, I would also like to express my sincere appreciation and admiration for the contributions made by our predecessors - both the Ambassadors of Mongolia to India and the Indian Ambassadors to Mongolia. It is remarkable to note that among the 17 Mongolian Ambassadors appointed to India thus far, four have served as Foreign Ministers of Mongolia - a distinction that speaks volumes about the importance given by the Mongolian side to our bilateral relationship. Similarly, India has consistently appointed highly capable and professional Envoys to Mongolia.

I wish to fondly recall the late Ambassador Kushok Bakula Rinpoche - affectionately known in Mongolia as Elchin Bagsh (Ambassador-Teacher/Guru). His decade-long presence in Mongolia played a pivotal role in our country’s transition from a communist regime to a democratic society. I had the privilege of visiting the Indian Embassy frequently during that time and personally witnessed how His Holiness seamlessly fulfilled his diplomatic duties while simultaneously advancing his spiritual mission.

I would also like to acknowledge the outstanding service of Ambassador M.P. Singh, whom we fondly remember as one of the most active and visible Indian Ambassadors in Mongolia. His iconic red turban became a familiar sight in every corner of our country.

Finally, I would like to express my confidence in Ambassador Atul Malhari Gotsurve, whom I believe is the right person - an engineer by profession - at the right time, as we undertake the critical task of constructing the Oil Refinery, and in the right place, to further strengthen the Strategic Partnership between our two nations.

The concept of the “Third Neighbours” foreign policy of Mongolia is closely aligned with India’s “Act East” policy. This shared strategic vision forms a strong basis for deepening our bilateral cooperation.

We believe that there exists significant untapped potential in our economic partnership. A flagship initiative in this regard is the Oil Refinery project, which we are committed to implementing in a timely and efficient manner. I recently had a productive meeting with the leadership of Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd. in Hyderabad, and I am confident in the progress of this important endeavour.

Looking ahead, I would like to briefly highlight a few key sectors that I believe hold great promise for expanded cooperation: mining, agriculture, tourism, and other mutually beneficial areas.

Our defence cooperation is also advancing rapidly and positively. For the first time in our history, we have appointed a Defence Attaché to the Embassy of Mongolia in India - an important step that reflects the high priority Mongolia places on defence collaboration with India. In this context, we look forward to a reciprocal move from our Indian counterparts.

Another vital area of cooperation is education, which continues the legacy of our spiritual and cultural connectivity. I have initiated a proposal to bring 1 000 Indian English language teachers to Mongolia, where they would teach English to children across the country. This initiative will provide Mongolian students - particularly in rural areas - with an opportunity to learn English from native-level speakers. At the same time, it will offer them valuable exposure to Indian rich culture, diverse traditions, colourful festivals, such as Holi and Diwali, and “spicy” cuisine. Equally important, this initiative will enable Indian teachers, upon their return home, to carry with them a deeper understanding of Mongolia - its open-hearted & hospital people, nature loving values, and nomadic way of life. In essence, this effort aims to strengthen the foundation of people-to-people connections, which is vital to the long-term strength and sustainability of our bilateral relationship.

As we commemorate seven decades of diplomatic relations between our two Nations, I look forward to hearing from our esteemed panelists both a thoughtful evaluation of what we have collectively achieved and insightful perspectives on the steps we must take to further enrich our bilateral relations and cooperation in the years ahead.

I would like to encourage active participation from all attendees. I urge our panelists to present fresh ideas and forward-looking visions that can shape the future of our partnership. To the young scholars and students in attendance, I would like to emphasize that there are no wrong questions - your curiosity and engagement are vital to the spirit of this dialogue.

I am confident that today’s deliberations will be meaningful and that the outcomes of our discussions will translate into tangible actions.

Thank you for your kind attention.

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