India-Mongolia holds Joint Committee on Cooperation

Dec 3: The 7th meeting of the India-Mongolia Joint Committee on Cooperation was held virtually on 03 December 2020. The meeting was chaired jointly by Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister (EAM), Government of India, and H.E. Mr. L. Oyun-Erdene, Minister and Chief Cabinet Secretary, Government of Mongolia.

The two Ministers had comprehensive discussions on the entire range of issues covering bilateral cooperation. The two Ministers recalled the historic State visit to Mongolia of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2015 during which the partnership between the two countries was raised to the level of Strategic Partnership. The two sides also recalled the State visit of President of Mongolia H.E. Mr. Khaltmaagiin Battulga to India in September 2019, noting that these visits had contributed substantially in furthering bilateral ties and shared values.

The two Ministers acknowledged that this year marked the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Mongolia. They noted with satisfaction that the relationship between the two countries had grown deeper and stronger, especially in the last few years.

On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Mongolian side released a special stamp issued by Mongol Post. EAM virtually handed over 25 volumes of Mongolian Kanjur, the Buddhist canonical text in 108 volumes, printed by the Government of India under the National Mission for Manuscripts.

The two Ministers also positively evaluated the coordination between the two countries in regional and multilateral forums and agreed to continue this tradition as also supporting each other in relevant international forums.

The Indian side welcomed the decision by Mongolia to join the International Solar Alliance. The two sides agreed that this initiative would further promote the use of clean energy in India, Mongolia, and the world.

The two sides agreed to establish an AYUSH Information Cell in Ulaanbaatar at an early date. The Indian side conveyed its appreciation for the institution by Mongolia of a ‘visa on arrival’ status for Indian citizens.

The two Ministers expressed satisfaction that despite COVID-19 challenges, several special flights had been arranged between the two countries in the last few months, which had allowed citizens of the two sides to return to their respective countries. The two Ministers also exchanged views of possible cooperation in combating COVID-19, including procurement by Mongolia in the future of the COVID-19 vaccine from India.

During the meeting, the two Ministers also reviewed the progress of ongoing developmental partnership projects including the US$1.236 billion Line of Credit Oil Refinery Project and the US$20 million Atal Bihari Vajpayee Centre of Excellence in ICT and Outsourcing.

The two sides agreed to hold the next meeting of the India -Mongolia Joint Committee on Cooperation in 2021.

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