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With rising geopolitical uncertainty and China’s growing assertiveness in the region, India is preparing to host Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh in mid-October, a visit expected to deepen defence cooperation between the two democracies that share not just historical ties, but also strategic concerns. As India strengthens its position in the Indo-Pacific and extends its reach into Northeast and Central Asia, the partnership with Mongolia is gaining renewed relevance.
Defence and security are expected to dominate the agenda, as both sides work to enhance military training, joint exercises, peacekeeping collaboration, and explore new avenues for defence industry engagement.
High-level talks are scheduled between the Mongolian President and Indian leadership, including President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and others.
Building a Strategic Partnership in a Tense Neighbourhood
India’s engagement with Mongolia, a landlocked democracy wedged between China and Russia, carries more than symbolic weight. It is part of New Delhi’s careful recalibration of regional partnerships aimed at counterbalancing Chinese influence and creating strategic depth beyond South Asia.
For Mongolia, India offers a trusted partner for military training, logistical support, and defence technology, without the geopolitical baggage of its immediate neighbours.
The upcoming visit follows the 12th India-Mongolia Joint Working Group on Defence, held in Ulaanbaatar in May 2024, where both countries reviewed ongoing cooperation and outlined future priorities. Discussions ranged from joint training programmes and high-altitude warfare readiness to expanding Mongolia’s participation in Indian defence institutions.
Shared Values to Shared Security Goals
India has steadily built its defence relationship with Mongolia through consistent support and capability sharing. Key milestones include the donation of ALS military ambulances and special winter gear to Mongolian troops in 2023, participation in the annual Nomadic Elephant bilateral military exercises, and India’s regular participation in the Khaan Quest multinational peacekeeping drills held in Mongolia.
These initiatives are backed by strong political will, evident in Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Ulaanbaatar in 2022 and continued institutional engagement since then. India’s Ambassador to Mongolia, Atul Malhari Gotsurve, along with senior officials from the Defence Ministry, has maintained close coordination with Mongolian counterparts to expand the scope of cooperation.
Modern Relevance
Ties between India and Mongolia date back to 1955 and are underpinned by cultural, spiritual, and democratic bonds. The relationship was formalised through the Treaty of Friendly Relations and Cooperation in 1994, and elevated to a Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Modi’s historic 2015 visit.
With India positioning itself as a defence exporter under the “Make in India” initiative, Mongolia is emerging as a natural partner, interested in sourcing reliable, cost-effective defence solutions and strengthening its military institutions through Indian expertise.
As global attention shifts to the Indo-Pacific and its peripheries, India’s outreach to Mongolia reflects a long-term strategy: build strong, value-based partnerships that can weather regional turbulence and support a balanced security architecture across Asia.
Team BharatShakti
