Mongolia’s President Ts.Elbegdorj paid a State visit to India onSeptember 13-16 at the invitation of India’s President Pratibha Devisingh Patil. At a meeting a, two Presidents exchange views on Mongolian-Indian bilateral relations, and various regional and international issues. President Elbegdorj also extended an invitation to Her Excellency President Patil to visit Mongolia at her convenience.

The Mongolian President alo had a meeting with India’s Minister of External Affairs, Shri S.M. Krishna. President Elbegdorj mentioned the famous speech by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru at the UN, in which Mongolia’s independence had been supported, stating that traditional relations between their countries is developing successfully even today, with essential contributions made by both countries’ Ministries of External/Foreign Affairs. He also invited Mr.Krishna to visit Mongolia, recalling that the last time India’s Minister of External Affairs had visited was in 1976.

“Mongolia is committed to advancing its relations with India to a comprehensive partnership level and hopes that this will also be supported by its Indian friends,”President Elbegdorj stated further, confirming that Mongolia is interested to receive technical assistance from India to develop its software industry infrastructure, and improve information security systems at Government organizations. “Cooperation in the information technology sector should
also be the main pillar of our relations, as India is one of the world’s leaders in this field. We also appreciate India’s willingness to develop cooperation in the uranium sector and we always welcome such proposals. I hope agreement on nuclear cooperation can be reached during Prime Minister Singh’s visit to Mongolia. In addition,
defense and security cooperation has become a cornerstone in our partnership and continuous training for Mongolian officers and staff and co-organizing military drills will have our support.”

“We agree that the current number of information technology specialists being trained in India should be increased. Moreover, Indian investors with experience in mining are greatly interested in Mongolia’s uranium and it is hoped that specific resolutions will soon be reached,” said India’s Minister of External Affairs.

Participants at the meeting also exchanged views on Mongolian-Indian bilateral relations and on regional peace and security.

On September 15, President Elbegdorj and India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held an official meeting at the Government Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

The meeting started wuth, President Elbegdorj thanking the Indian Government, on behalf of himself and the accompanying group, for the warm welcome they had received on arriving in India, a country praised as the ‘birthplace of civilization’. He also expressed his hope that the present high-level political dialogues would be maintained and bilateral relations broadened in the context of Mongolia’s third neighbor policy so as to reach a comprehensive partnership.

President Elbegdorj also extended his invitation to Prime Minister Singh to visit Mongolia in 2010, the 55th
anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Mongolia and India.

The sides agreed to strengthen relations between their Parliaments and other Government organizations and to intensify procedures for already established Joint Committee on Government Cooperation.

India has great experienced in fighting nontraditional threats, terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking. Mongolian officials have expressed their hopes to continue joint military drills, and training for Mongolian officers and specialists, and thanked the Indian Government for granting a USD 25 million soft loan to fight its economic crisis and stabilize its national economy.

President Elbegdorj stated that India’s support and aid are a clear illustration of friendship between the peoples of Mongolia and India, mentioning that food aid from India during 2008 had contributed enormously to stabilizing commodity prices.

Indian officials confirmed their willingness to cooperate in mining, especially in the uranium sector. President Elbegdorj, in turn, promised to support India’s increased involvement in the minerals sector through the Government’s policy. “In particular, mutually beneficial long-term cooperation to develop infrastructure around the mines, and manufacture end products will be given preference,” he added.

During the meeting, it was agreed that information technology is the main part of their bilateral relations and Mongolian officials expressed their interest to cooperate with India to manufacture software locally and create the infrastructure needed to raise the State’s information security capability.

During negotiations to advance educational and cultural relations, the Indian Government pledged its support to build a secondary school in Ulaanbaatar to offer English tuition, with a curriculum that meets India’s educational standards. In addition, ITEC activities are to be broadened, with twice as many Mongolian specialists attending short-term courses in India.

President Elbegdorj and Prime Minister Singh also exchanged views on regional and international cooperation. President Elbegdorj mentioned Mongolia’s support of India’s bid to become a permanent UN Security Council member, and promised to support India as a nonpermanent Security Council member during the 2011-2012 election. They
further exchanged views on Asia Pacific regional stability and peace, as well as the fight against terrorism and
global warming.

As a result of this official meeting, Mongolia and the Republic of India agreed to build a comprehensive partnership and to sign a Joint Declaration.

During President Elbegdorj’s State visit to the Republic of India, the following documents were signed by the respective parties:

• A Loan Stabilization Agreement–by S. Batbold, Mongolia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and S.M. Krishna, India’s Minister of External Affairs.
  
• A Cooperation Agreement for the Health and Medical Sector–by Yo. Otgonbayar, Mongolia’s Minister of Education, Culture, and Science and Ghulam Nabi Azad, India’s Minister of Health and Family Welfare.
  
• A Cultural Cooperation Program for 2009-2012–by Yo. Otgonbayar, Mongolia’s Minister of Education, Culture, and Science and Jawhar Sircar, India’s State Secretary at its Ministry of Culture.
  
• A Memorandum of Understanding on Statistical Cooperation between Mongolia’s National Statistics Office and India’s
  Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation–by S. Mendsaikhan, Chairman of Mongolia’s National Statistics
  Office and Pronab Sen, India’s State Secretary at its Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation.
  
• A Memorandum of Understanding on the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy–by Ts. Damdinsuren Vice Chairman of Mongolia’s Nuclear Energy Agency and A.P. Joshi Vice Chairman of the Indian Government’s Atomic Agency Department and Vice Chairman of its Nuclear Energy Department.

The signing ceremony took place at the Government Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

On September 15, the State visit’s 3rd day, President Elbegdorj and his wife, First Lady Kh. Bolormaa visited some historic sites and Buddhist monasteries.

After visiting the Taj Mahal, one of world’s seven wonders, the President and his entourage arrived at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, believed to be one of Five Holy Buddhist sites and the place where Gautama Shakyamuni had attained nirvana (enlightenment).

The world’s oldest Buddhist School also located there is where Mongolian monks had studied and even stayed on as teachers after graduation.

President Elbegdorj later went on to visit the Battsagaan Monastery being built with assistance from Mongolian
monks. Construction started 4 years ago, initiated by Buddhist monks from Mongolia’s Gandantegchinlen Monastery, with plans to be completed by next year, according to Khamba Choijamts, the Gandantegchinlen Monastery head.

There are currently more than 200 Mongolian monks living in India.

On the same day President Elbegdorj, First Lady Bolormaa Khajidsuren, and their entourage arrive in Mumbai.

The Hindu goddess Shiva’s birthplace and famous for its rich history and craftsmanship, Mumbai is now one of India’s largest metropolises, a business and financial hub not only of that country but also of the world. India’s most banking and financial centers, sea and
airports are located there.

President Elbegdorj and First Lady Bolormaa met S.C. Jamir, the Maharashtra State Governor and this was followed by reception in honor of Mongolia’s President and First Lady.

President Elbegdorj also addressed the September 16 Business meeting co-hosted by the Indian Industrialfamous stock exchanges, Association, the All India Association of Industries, and Chamber of Commerce and Industry member
organizations.

The President and First Lady arrived home on September 17, 2009 (information of the Public Relations and Communications Division, the Office of the President of Mongolia).