External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said India and Mongolia had explored new ideas and opportunities to further strengthen their Strategic Partnership during talks with his Mongolian counterpart Battsetseg Batmunkh in Ulaanbaatar. The discussions formed part of Jaishankar’s two-day official visit to the East Asian nation.
Describing the talks as “very warm, very productive, very open”, Jaishankar said both countries reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation and discussed initiatives that could shape the next phase of relations between the two countries.
Jaishankar Highlights Shared Civilisational Ties
Thanking the Mongolian government for its hospitality, Jaishankar said India and Mongolia were not only Strategic Partners but also “Spiritual siblings” connected by deep civilisational links, democratic values and strong people-to-people relations.
He recalled that the two countries celebrated the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations last year and noted that the visit of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh to India in October 2025 had provided fresh momentum to bilateral ties.
“We celebrated last year the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and we had the privilege of hosting the President of Mongolia in India in October. That visit was highly successful with several outcomes, and one of the purposes of my visit was to sit with my counterpart and review the progress of what was agreed to between our Prime Minister and your President last year,” Jaishankar said.
He added that the two sides had also discussed new areas of cooperation and cited English language skills as one example of future collaboration.
Wide-Ranging Cooperation Reviewed
According to Jaishankar, the discussions covered development partnership projects, capacity building, technology, trade, supply chains, education, culture, defence, security and energy.
He described the India-backed oil refinery project as the most important development initiative currently being undertaken in Mongolia.
“We really reviewed the entire gamut of our bilateral cooperation, including the development partnership of which the Oil Refinery is the most important project; there is also an ICT centre and a school and a number of Quick Impact Projects, we spoke about capacity building, technology, economic and trade cooperation, supply chain cooperation, education, culture, defence, security, and energy,” he said.
The two ministers also exchanged views on regional and global developments and discussed cooperation in multilateral forums.
Jaishankar expressed appreciation for Mongolia’s participation in the International Solar Alliance and the International Big Cat Alliance.
“We reiterated our commitment to work with the Mongolian side to take our Strategic Partnership to even greater heights,” he said.
President Khurelsukh and Religious Leaders Also Met
During his visit, Jaishankar called on Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh and conveyed greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a post on X, the External Affairs Minister said President Khurelsukh’s visit to India last year had imparted strong momentum to bilateral relations.
“Value his guidance on advancing our strong cooperation in a wide range of sectors. Fully agree with him that the greatest friendship is spiritual friendship,” Jaishankar wrote.
He also met Khamba Nomun Khan Geshe Lharampa D Javzandorj, Chief Abbot of Mongolia’s Gandan Monastery, and said the spiritual leader’s blessings for strengthening cultural ties and people-to-people goodwill were deeply valued.
“Glad to meet His Eminence Khamba Nomun Khan Geshe Lharampa D Javzandorj, Chief Abbot of Gandan Monastery, Mongolia. His blessings for deepening our cultural ties and people-to-people goodwill are deeply cherished,” he said in another post.
Parliamentary Exchanges and Economic Opportunities Discussed
Jaishankar also held talks with Speaker of the State Great Khural Sandag Byambatsogt and welcomed his support for parliamentary exchanges between the two countries.
“A pleasure to meet Speaker of the State Great Khural Sandag Byambatsogt today. Welcome his strong support for India-Mongolia parliamentary exchanges and friendship. Reiterated support to deepening our people-centric development partnership,” he said.
A pleasure to meet Speaker of the State Great Khural Sandag Byambatsogt @BYAMBATSOGT_S today.
Welcome his strong support for India – Mongolia parliamentary exchanges and friendship. Reiterated support to deepening our people – centric development partnership.
🇮🇳 🇲🇳 pic.twitter.com/p8W5YjNbop
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 22, 2026
In a separate post on X after his meeting with Battsetseg Batmunkh, Jaishankar said the discussions reflected the “warmth, strength and promise” of the India-Mongolia Strategic Partnership.
Delighted to meet FM Battsetseg Batmunkh in Ulaanbaatar.
Our discussions reflected the warmth, strength and promise of our Strategic Partnership.
Reviewed the progress in our cooperation in development projects, capacity building, culture, education, security and multilateral… pic.twitter.com/QjSUy8n3v3
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 22, 2026