Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), July 7 (Agency) India is determined to further strengthen and broaden its strategic partnership with Mongolia, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Friday. Birla, who is leading an Indian Parliamentary Delegation (IPD), made the statement after calling on the President of Mongolia, Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh. The Speaker recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mongolia in 2015 greatly strengthened relations between the two countries. “India is playing the role of a dependable partner in the economic development of Mongolia. The Oil Refinery Project in Mongolia is the largest project undertaken by India abroad, which is a testimony to the close partnership between the two nations,” a release quoted Birla as saying. Citing that both countries have always supported each other, Birla said that India and Mongolia have often worked with mutual cooperation at several international fora.
In this context, he recalled that India supported Mongolia’s membership in the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, while Mongolia has consistently supported India’s candidature in international organisations. He expressed confidence that Mongolia would support India’s candidature as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2028-29 term Expressing the view that Mongolia is a great story of valour, courage and fearlessness, Birla observed that their history continues to inspire the world even today. He highlighted that the shared glorious heritage of Buddhism underpins the ties between India and Mongolia. The Speaker also met the Prime Minister of Mongolia, Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai. Speaking on the occasion, Birla said that the Parliament of India is ready to cooperate with Mongolia in the areas of development of parliamentary institutions, upgradation of research facilities, libraries and capacity building. The Speaker suggested that the Parliament of Mongolia take forward this idea of cooperation.
He was happy to note that several projects related to the IT sector including the Indo-Mongolia Friendship School and the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Center of Excellence are currently underway in Mongolia. He opined that these projects would further contribute to strengthening the strategic ties between India and Mongolia. Among others, Birla also visited the State Great Hural (Parliament) of Mongolia and witnessed the proceedings of the House. The Speaker said that as the mother of democracy, India always remains committed to extending its support to promote this idea.