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S Jaishankar met Mongolia's top leaders and reviewed the India-backed Mongol Oil Refinery Project. The visit underlined a broader push to expand strategic cooperation from energy and mining to technology and cultural ties.
Ulaanbaatar,UPDATED: Jun 23, 2026 19:30 IST
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met Mongolia's Chief Cabinet Secretary Battumur Enkhbayar and discussed ways to deepen bilateral ties, including new avenues in mining, energy, technology and human resources. Jaishankar is in Mongolia on the first leg of a two-nation visit.
During his engagements, Jaishankar also reviewed work on the India-funded USD 1.7 billion Mongol Oil Refinery Project, visited the Gandantegchinlen Monastery, and held a series of meetings on areas for future cooperation. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the discussions in Mongolia covered development partnership, trade, education, culture, capacity building, supply chains, mining and critical minerals, defence, air connectivity, and people-to-people ties.
In a post on X after meeting Enkhbayar, Jaishankar said, "Pleased to meet Minister and Chief Cabinet Secretary Battumur Enkhbayar @Enkhbayar_bat of Mongolia this evening. Discussed our bilateral cooperation including new avenues in mining, energy, technology and Human resources." Enkhbayar said Jaishankar's visit to Mongolia holds "utmost importance" in strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries. In his own post on X, he said, "We are interested in expanding cooperation with India in the direction of developing information technology, artificial intelligence applications, and digital governance." He added, "Within the framework of cooperation between Mongolia and India, effective projects and programmes are being implemented in many sectors. One of them is the Oil Refinery Project with the support of the Government of India," and highlighted its importance for Mongolia's energy independence while expressing gratitude for cooperation across sectors.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar visited the construction site of the Mongol Oil Refinery Project with his Mongolian counterpart Battsetseg Batmunkh and Industry and Mining Minister Gongor Damdinnyam. In a post on X, he said, "This landmark India-Mongolia friendship project is making steady progress. Reviewed the status of works under implementation with the various teams involved." He also met the Indian and Mongolian workforce at the site and thanked them for "their dedication and commitment in realising such a major project under challenging conditions". The MEA said the project is being implemented with the support of a USD 1.7 billion Line of Credit from the Indian government and is a "flagship initiative and a vital component of Mongolia's sustainable energy strategy".
Jaishankar also visited the Gandantegchinlen Monastery in Ulaanbaatar. In a separate post on X, he said, "The monastery is a symbol of the special and spiritual bond between India and Mongolia. Delighted to witness the India-Mongolia partnership project for digitisation of one million Buddhist manuscripts in action. India is committed to continuing its support for the Gandan Monastery." On Monday, Jaishankar held talks with Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh and called on President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa. He also met Speaker Sandag Byambatsogt, Education Minister L Enkh-Amgalan and former president N Enkhbayar, the MEA said, adding that the meetings explored potential areas for future collaboration. From Mongolia, Jaishankar will travel to the Republic of Korea on Wednesday for the final leg of his visit.
With PTI Inputs
- Ends
Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Jun 23, 2026 19:30 IST
