1 CHINA’S MONGOLIAN COAL IMPORTS UP 20% IN OCT, RUSSIAN IMPORTS SLIP 18% WWW.BRECORDER.COM  PUBLISHED:2025/11/21      2 S.KOREA-MONGOLIA JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING REAFFIRMS MINERAL COOPERATION WWW.KOREAPOST.COM PUBLISHED:2025/11/21      3 TEAM MONGOLIA FROM PHYSICAL ASIA: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? WWW.MOVIEDELIC.COM PUBLISHED:2025/11/21      4 N.UCHRAL: I’LL BE LENIENT WITH THE RIGHT, STRICT WITH THE WRONG WWW.GOGO.MN PUBLISHED:2025/11/20      5 MONGOLIAN BANKING SECTOR'S NET FOREIGN ASSETS DECLINE 16.1 PCT IN OCTOBER WWW.XINHUANET.COM PUBLISHED:2025/11/20      6 ON THE TALKS OF SECRETARY-GENERAL WITH THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF MONGOLIA WWW.ENG.SECTSCO.ORG PUBLISHED:2025/11/20      7 MONGOLIA UNIFIES TO COMBAT NEW THREATS TO SNOW LEOPARDS WWW.SNOWLEOPARD.ORG PUBLISHED:2025/11/20      8 AMERICAN-CANADIAN BILLIONAIRE OPENS $2-BILLION PLATINUM MINE IN SOUTH AFRICA WWW.AFRICA.BUSINESSINSIDER.COM PUBLISHED:2025/11/20      9 EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE: 12 SCHOOLS, 24 KINDERGARTENS SET FOR 2025 LAUNCH WWW.MONTSAME.MN PUBLISHED:2025/11/20      10 MONGOLIA JAPAN HOSPITAL INTRODUCES SELECTIVE LASER TRABECULOPLASTY SYSTEM WWW.AKIPRESS.COM PUBLISHED:2025/11/20      Н.УЧРАЛ: ХУУЛЬ ТОТООХ ДЭЭД БАЙГУУЛЛАГААС ХУЛГАЙН СЭЖИГТНҮҮД БИШ ХУУЛЬ ТӨРЖ БАЙХ ЁСТОЙ WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/11/21     ТЭРБУМ МОД САНГИЙН ТӨСЛИЙН СОНГОН ШАЛГАРУУЛАЛТ ЗАРЛАГДЛАА WWW.BILLIONTREE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/11/20     ОЙЖУУЛАЛТАД ХАМГИЙН ИХ ХӨРӨНГӨ ОРУУЛАЛТ ХИЙЖ БАЙГАА ХУВИЙН ХЭВШЛИЙН САНГААР ТЭРБУМ МОД САНГ НЭРЛЭЛЭЭ WWW.BILLIONTREE.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/11/20     МОНГОЛД ГАДНЫ БАНК НЭЭХ НЬ ХЭРЭГЛЭГЧДЭД ӨГӨӨЖТЭЙ Ч ДОТООДЫН БАНК САНХҮҮГИЙН САЛБАРТ ЭРСДЭЛТЭЙ WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/11/20     ӨНГӨРСӨН САРД 11 УЛСЫН 240 ИРГЭНИЙГ АЛБАДАН ГАРГАЖЭЭ WWW.EGUUR.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/11/20     Х.НЯМБААТАР: ГАНДАН ОРЧМЫГ НОГООН БАЙГУУЛАМЖ БҮХИЙ ЖИШИГ ГУДАМЖ БОЛГОН ТОХИЖУУЛНА WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/11/20     ОЮУ ТОЛГОЙ ТӨСЛИЙН ХУВЬ НИЙЛҮҮЛЭГЧДИЙН ЗЭЭЛИЙН ХҮҮГ БУУРУУЛАХ ХЭЛЭЛЦЭЭ ҮРГЭЛЖИЛЖ БАЙНА WWW.MONTSAME.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/11/20     УИХ-ЫН ДАРГААР Н.УЧРАЛ СОНГОГДЛОО WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/11/20     "ЧИНГИС ХААН" ОДОН ХҮРТЭЖ БУЙ С.НАРАНГЭРЭЛ ГЭЖ ХЭН БЭ WWW.ITOIM.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/11/20     ОХУ-ЫН БАНК САЛБАРАА МОНГОЛД НЭЭХ ҮҮ? WWW.NEWS.MN НИЙТЭЛСЭН:2025/11/20    

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Events

Events

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MBCC “Doing Business with Mongolia seminar and Christmas Receptiom” Dec 10. 2024 London UK MBCCI London UK Goodman LLC

NEWS

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China-Europe freight trains passing through central corridor top 3,000, 39 days ahead of 2024 www.globaltimes.cn

The number of China-Europe freight trains passing through the central corridor of the China-Europe railway service has exceeded 3,000 this year, achieving this milestone 39 days earlier than last year, CCTV News reported on Wednesday.  
The 1,293rd China-Europe freight train, loaded with auto parts and general merchandise, departed from the Erenhot port in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, marking the 3,000th passage of a China-Europe freight train through the central corridor this year.
This is the third consecutive year that the port has handled more than 3,000 China-Europe freight trains.
Erenhot is the largest land port on the China-Mongolia border. In recent years, along with China's deepening efforts in international economic and trade cooperation, Erenhot has seen significant increases in train numbers, destinations, frequencies and the types of transported goods.
As a pivotal entry-exit point for the central corridor of the China-Europe railway service, the number of China-Europe freight train routes via the port has increased to 74, reaching more than 70 cities in more than 10 countries. Domestically, it connects with most of the originating cities of these freight trains. 
Since the inaugural train in 2013, the port has handled nearly 21,000 China-Europe freight trains. The categories of transported goods have been significantly upgraded, with the proportion of high-value-added products such as new-energy vehicles and high-end mechanical equipment rising from less than 10 percent in the early stages to more than 40 percent, the report said.
As of September 8, the port had handled 2,646 China-Europe freight trains this year, transporting 3.4876 million tons of cargo, year-on-year increases of 9.5 percent and 15.4 percent, said the China Railway Hohhot Group Co.
The number of China-Europe containers passing through the port has exceeded 300,000, achieving this milestone 23 days earlier than last year.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on June 13 that the China-Europe Railway Express is a signature outcome of the Belt and Road Initiative. Routes of the China-Europe Railway Express have been launched in 128 cities in China, reaching 229 cities in 26 European countries and more than 100 cities in 11 Asian countries. 
We will uphold the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, continue to act as an important driving force for world connectivity, benefit the world through our own development, and achieve win-win and all-win, Lin said. 
Global Times

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Mongolian falcons sell for SAR900,000 at Saudi falcons exhibition www.qazinform.com

Two falcons from Mongolia were sold yesterday for SAR900,000 at the International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2025. The auction saw fierce competition among bidders and strong engagement from attendees at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, north of Riyadh, SPA reports. 
The auction began with a hur qarnas (adult falcon), which started bidding at SAR200,000 before ultimately selling for SAR450,000. Following this, the second bird — a hur farkh (juvenile falcon) — was offered, started bidding at SAR100,000 and also selling for SAR450,000.
For the first time in its history, the exhibition dedicated a special zone for Mongolian falcons. These birds hold a prestigious status among falconers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region due to their high quality.
The zone hosts elite breeds of falcons from Mongolia, East Asia, particularly the hur falcon, known for its large size, long wingspan, and high endurance. It is also valued for its color variations, which range from light white to dark brown. These characteristics give the Mongolian falcon an advantage in the sport of falconry, thanks to its ability to endure harsh conditions and respond quickly to training, making it highly sought after by amateurs and professionals alike.
As written before, falcon sold for SAR1.2 million at International Falcon Breeders Auction.
By Zhanna Nurmaganbetova

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Russia assures uninterrupted fuel supply to Mongolia www.gogo.mn

G.Damdinnyam, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, stated that Russia has promised to maintain a steady fuel supply to Mongolia under all circumstances, urging the public to remain calm.
“The government has issued a decree today to establish a strategic reserve of gasoline and diesel fuel. However, such a decree is adopted annually. According to the law, Mongolia’s safety reserves are maintained by private sector companies,” he explained.
The Minister noted that authorities have decided to investigate media outlets and social media accounts that recently spread reports about an alleged fuel shortage.
“Although Mongolia is almost entirely dependent on imported fuel from Russia, and the situation there is challenging, the Prime Minister met with President Vladimir Putin during his recent visit to Russia. I also met with the Russian Minister of Energy to discuss the issue, and he assured us that our supply of gasoline, fuel, and lubricants will not be disrupted under any circumstances.
Currently, more than 150 tons of AI-92 gasoline are being transported by rail to the Tolgoit and Rashaan stations, with daily deliveries continuing as usual.
In today’s unstable geopolitical environment, it is crucial to build up our strategic reserves and ensure the reserve tanks are filled. This requires financial resources, including loans.
The Minister called on the public to stay calm, emphasizing that the responsible ministries are closely monitoring fuel supplies. The Prime Minister has instructed us to investigate any business entities found to be deliberately creating artificial shortages and to hold them accountable if necessary.

 

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Reuters learns when Russia will complete gas pipeline to China www.newsukraine.rbc.ua

Russia will need at least five years to build a gas pipeline to China. An equal amount of time will be required to increase the volume of gas supplies, Reuters reports.
Alexei Miller, CEO of Gazprom, stated that during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China last month, a "legally binding memorandum" was signed on the construction of the Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline.
The agency notes that this indicates Moscow’s efforts to redirect its gas reserves to Asia. This comes after the collapse of energy trade with Europe, previously Russia’s largest market, due to Western sanctions.
The construction schedule for the pipeline had not been previously reported. Reuters emphasized that the key terms of the pipeline construction agreement have not yet been finalized.
It is expected to run through Mongolia and deliver up to 50 billion cubic meters of gas annually from the Yamal Arctic region.
Two industry sources reported that, if an agreement is reached next year, about five years will be needed to build the pipeline and begin deliveries. An additional five years will be required to increase supply volumes.
An informed source noted that Gazprom does not expect the pipeline to reach half of its capacity by 2034–2035 if deliveries start after 2031.
Analysts at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies believe that with a 2026 agreement, initial deliveries could take place by the end of 2030 or 2031, with significant volume increases achieved by January 1, 2035.
Earlier, in early September, Russian Gazprom announced the signing of an agreement to build the Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline to China via Mongolia.
For context, deliveries of Russian gas to China via the Power of Siberia pipeline began in 2019.
Currently, Western and Eastern Siberia are not connected by a unified network, and Russia hopes to build Power of Siberia-2 to redirect gas from Western Siberian fields.

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Government Launches Online Drug Price Database to Curb Price Inflation www.montsame.mn

As of today, citizens in Mongolia can now access real-time drug price information and pharmacy locations via the newly launched website em.hdc.gov.mn. This public platform allows users to search for the price of a specific medication and see which pharmacies stock it and where they are located.
Currently, the system includes data from 2,605 pharmacies and price information for 2,565 active medications listed in the national registry of approved drugs. Beyond price and location, users can view detailed information in Mongolian, such as usage instructions, contraindications, ingredients, dosage, manufacturer, and country of origin.
The platform also offers alternatives to prescribed medications, helping users find similar or substitute options when necessary.
Drug prices displayed on the system reflect the latest real transaction price registered in the national E-Barimt (e-receipt) system, ensuring transparency and up-to-date data. The Minister of Health of Mongolia says that by making drug prices publicly accessible, the Government aims to reduce artificial price inflation and ease the financial burden on citizens caused by high medicine costs.
Health Minister Chinburen Jigjidsuren stated that further developments are planned for the system. In the future, it will include information such as pharmacy stock levels, customs data, and supplier pricing, making the pharmaceutical supply chain more transparent.
The system was developed over the course of one month with the involvement of relevant government agencies and is officially available to the public starting on October 7, 2025.

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Mongolia shows sovereignty and global organizations can co-exist www.asiatimes.com

(This article, originally published by Pacific Forum, is republished with permission. The authors are Democratic members of the US House of Representatives.)
In remarks to the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, US President Donald Trump invoked “sovereignty” as a key guiding principle for nations, framing it against “globalism.” For the President and select other leaders, sovereignty means turning inward – cutting ties and stepping back from global institutions. But after a recent trip to Mongolia to see firsthand how the US and UN are working together in one of the world’s key locations, we came away convinced of the opposite: sovereignty and multilateralism are not contradictions. They are, in fact, complementary.
As Jaap van Hierden, the UN’s top official in Mongolia, put it, “The United Nations provides unwavering support for Mongolian sovereignty.” For a country landlocked between Russia and China, that support is not symbolic – it’s essential. And for the United States, it is squarely in our interests. Mongolia cannot change its “eternal neighbors” and it must coexist with them, but it has also chosen to cultivate a “third neighbor” in the US – through language, trade, and security. The UN has been the steady interlocutor furthering this strategic relationship.
Language as strategy
In 2023, Mongolia made the bold and controversial decision to designate English its official foreign language. The move was unpopular in nearby Beijing and Moscow, but it signaled Mongolia’s determination to orient outward. Public schools must now teach English, and a new generation of teachers is being trained. This June, the government, the US Embassy and international organizations opened the Center of Excellence for English Language Teaching in Ulaanbaatar.
“The Center will play a pivotal role in elevating English education in Mongolia,” said US Ambassador Richard Buangan, “ultimately making Mongolians more competitive in the international labor market.” UN agencies like UNICEF and the UN Development Program (UNDP) are critical to this overall effort, strengthening digital learning and training teachers across the country. Sovereignty here is not isolation; it is about choice, equipping citizens to participate in a global economy on their own terms.
Trade that balances power
Economic sovereignty is even more precarious. China buys 90% of Mongolia’s exports. Cashmere illustrates the challenge: Mongolia is the world’s second-largest producer, but most cashmere is exported raw to China for processing and re-export. The UN, through UNDP, is working to change that dynamic by helping herders adopt sustainable practices, improve quality and access high-end markets through eco-labeling and certification. Local entrepreneurs are being supported to keep more of the value chain inside Mongolia.
The United States does and should reinforce these efforts. Passing the bipartisan Mongolia “Third Neighbor Trade Act” would allow duty-free cashmere exports to the US, creating jobs in America and in Mongolia, while reducing dependence on China. Again, supporting Mongolia’s economic sovereignty is in America’s strategic interest.
Peacekeeping as sovereignty in action
And then there’s security. Since 9/11, Mongolia has stood shoulder to shoulder with the US – in Iraq and Afghanistan and in UN peacekeeping missions. Over the past two decades, more than 22,000 Mongolian troops have deployed with the UN, often trained through the State Department’s Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI). Today, the annual “Khaan Quest” exercises in Mongolia bring together US, Mongolian and other forces to train to UN standards and improve interoperability.
“We face increasingly complex security challenges, from regional conflicts to humanitarian crises,” said Lt. Gen. Joel B. Vowell, deputy commanding general of the US Army Pacific, at this year’s kick-off event. “Khaan Quest prepares us to meet these challenges, equipping us with the skills and trust needed to operate in volatile environments.”
For Mongolia, contributing to peacekeeping enhances sovereignty; for the US, it builds reliable partners who share the burden of global security.
This is why US leadership in the UN matters. And why both the Trump administration’s harsh rhetoric and its package that cuts all remaining US funding to the UN regular budget is so alarming. The pocket rescission also slashes over $500 million from peacekeeping and claws back more than $70 million from GPOI – the very program that helped build Mongolia’s peacekeeping capacity. This is not reform; it is retreat. And retreat hands influence to our rivals.
UN peacekeeping is eight times less expensive than deploying US troops. Supporting Mongolia’s English-language initiative and cashmere industry costs a fraction of what a military confrontation with China would.
In other words, investing in sovereignty – both ours and that of our partners – through the UN system is not pointless charity; it is a potent strategy.
By by Ed Case and Ami Bera and Jonathan Jackson
Representative Ed Case represents Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District. Representative Ami Bera represents California’s 6th Congressional District. Representative Jonathan Jackson represents the 1st Congressional District of Illinois.

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Asian Battery Metals targets EM drill zones in Mongolia www.proactiveinvestors.com.au

Asian Battery Metals PLC managing director Gan-Ochir Zunduisuren talked with Proactive about the company’s recent advancements at the Oval discovery within the broader Yambat Project in western Mongolia.
Zunduisuren confirmed the completion of phase three drilling, which has outlined high-conductance electromagnetic (EM) targets across the Oval and Bainsat tenements. These EM plates, derived from a Samsung M survey, are believed to correlate strongly with sulphide mineralisation, particularly copper-gold systems. He noted, “We are going to be testing these targets in the near future,” highlighting strong alignment between new EM findings and previous magnetic and IP surveys.
In addition, the company is awaiting assay results from the phase three program, expected within two weeks. Zunduisuren said the results will determine if the mineralisation aligns with historical drilling and whether high-grade zones continue. He added that one extension hole had confirmed mineralised continuity, indicating a potential source at depth.
Asian Battery Metals is also advancing technical due diligence on a nearby massive sulphide copper-gold system located eight kilometres from Oval. Drilling at this site will help validate historic data and assess 3D potential. Plans are also underway for future drill testing at MS1 and Bainsat.

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Mongolian President Khurelsukh’s India Visit Will Redefine the Strategic Partnership www.thediplomat.com

As Mongolia and India celebrate seven decades of diplomatic ties in 2025, their relationship is characterized by a high degree of spiritual affinity and geopolitical aspiration. While India and Mongolia officially share a Strategic Partnership anchored in democratic values, a critical examination reveals that this designation is largely aspirational, struggling to overcome profound economic and logistical challenges.
With Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa’s much-anticipated visit to New Delhi later this month, the two nations stand ready to elevate this alliance, reinforcing their dual identity as spiritual brothers (connected by Buddhism) and strategic partners (united by geopolitical foresight).
Historical Bedrock: Trust Forged in Spirit and Diplomacy
The roots of Mongol-Indian ties stretch back over a millennium, when Buddhism traveled from the Indian subcontinent to the Mongolian steppes. For Mongolians, who practice Tibetan Buddhism integrated with traditional shamanism, India – where Gautama Buddha achieve enlightenment – holds sacred status. Mongolian Ambassador to India D. Ganbold aptly described this connection as “invisible infrastructure,” a force that has endured even amid global political upheaval.
Diplomatically, India’s 1955 recognition of Mongolia was a bold step in the Cold War’s bipolar landscape. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s decision reflected his commitment to pan-Asian solidarity, transcending ideological divides. India followed with critical support, backing Mongolia’s United Nations membership in 1961 and its entry into the Non-Aligned Movement in 1991. Dr. Nutan Kapoor Mahawar, acting director general of the Indian Council of World Affairs noted that these actions solidified a “mutual respect that has stood the test of time.”
The 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union opened a new chapter. Mongolia’s “Third Neighbor” policy – seeking allies beyond Russia and China – aligned seamlessly with India’s “Act East” initiative, which identified Mongolia as a like-minded democratic partner in Central Asia. This synergy revived high-level exchanges in 1994 and spawned the Nomadic Elephant joint military exercises in 2004. 
A defining moment came in 2015, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first foreign leader to address Mongolia’s State Great Hural on a Sunday, a national holiday. Modi’s visit upgraded ties to a Strategic Partnership, unlocked a $1 billion Line of Credit (LoC), and yielded 14 agreements covering defense, trade, and culture.
2025: A Pivotal Year for Accelerated Cooperation
The 70th anniversary has injected fresh momentum into bilateral collaboration, yielding tangible progress across critical sectors in 2025.
In June 2025, Indian Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh co-hosted the 17th Nomadic Elephant drills in Ulaanbaatar and inaugurated a cybersecurity training hub at the Mongolian National Defense University, strengthening joint counterterrorism efforts and digital resilience. 
Mongolian Foreign Ministry State Secretary Munkhtushig Lkhanaajav and his delegation participated in the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi in March. He then co-chaired the fifth bilateral consultation to advance key pacts on renewable energy and cyber governance.
Negotiations are currently underway with Indian steel majors like JSW Steel and SAIL to lock in a long-term supply of Mongolia’s vast Tavan Tolgoi coking coal and other critical mineral reserves. This effort persists despite the significant logistical challenge of transiting shipments via Russia or China.
The upcoming visit by Khurelsukh to India is expected to be transformative, aiming to elevate the partnership to “an even higher tier.” The trip is anticipated to finalize major agreements in the digital economy, renewable energy (combining Mongolia’s solar potential with India’s technological innovation), and critical minerals.
Strategic Synergy: Aligning Visions for a Multipolar Eurasia
The core strength of the India-Mongolia partnership lies in the fundamental convergence of their strategic policies. Both nations envision a balanced, multipolar Eurasia, creating a natural alliance through their respective approaches. Mongolia’s Third Neighbor policy seeks to build robust ties beyond its two immediate, powerful neighbors, Russia and China. India’s Act East policy identifies Mongolia as a crucial democratic and strategic partner in Central Asia.
This policy synergy translates into concrete strategic advantages for both partners. For Mongolia, India offers a technologically advanced, democratic alternative, reinforcing Mongolian national sovereignty and providing a valuable counterweight to reduce overreliance on any single power. For India, Mongolia offers potential access to strategic resources, such as rare earths, and contributes to regional balance.
Multilaterally, the two nations amplify their influence through shared priorities. They align in bodies like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) – where India is a member and Mongolia was a long-time “observer” until that status was scrapped at the 2025 summit – focusing on counterterrorism and connectivity initiatives. Both are leading contributors to U.N. peacekeeping missions and staunch advocates for Security Council reform. Mongolia strongly backs India’s bid for a permanent UNSC seat, reciprocating India’s support for Mongolia’s regional initiatives.
As Mongolia’s Ambassador to India Ganbold Dambajav emphasized, this powerful “strategic complementarity” acts as a “force multiplier” in times of geopolitical turbulence.
Looking ahead, the partnership is poised for significant expansion across key sectors: securing critical resources (like rare earths, copper and so on) for India’s technology sectors; agritech modernization to boost Mongolia’s agricultural sector; and high-value “Buddhist circuit” eco-tourism, leveraging the shared spiritual heritage.
Economic Cooperation: Progress and Structural Constraints
The economic dimension of the India-Mongolia partnership is gaining momentum through flagship infrastructure projects and strategic trade initiatives, yet it operates under significant structural constraints that limit India’s role as a major economic alternative.
The most significant undertaking is the Dornogobi Oil Refinery, which uses $1.7 billion of India’s Line of Credit (LoC). Slated for completion in late 2026 or early 2027, the refinery is designed to process 1.5 million tons of crude annually, aiming to cover 60 percent of Mongolia’s domestic fuel needs. Strategically, this is vital for reducing reliance on Russian imports, though the protracted timeline means dependence will continue for the foreseeable future.
Logistical barriers are being directly challenged by the launch of MIAT Mongolian Airline’s twice-weekly direct flights to Singapore starting November 4, 2025. This new air route will significantly slash transit time to third destinations in India and Southeast Asia, providing a crucial boost to trade and tourism.
Despite this progress, the partnership faces overwhelming structural hurdles. Mongolia’s landlocked geography creates a logistical chokepoint, driving up trade costs and uncertainty. All transit must pass through either Russia (a stable but lengthy route) or China (faster but sensitive to China-India geopolitical tensions).
This physical reality is reflected in the trade data. At a modest $110 million in 2024, bilateral trade with India is minuscule compared to Mongolia’s $19 billion trade with China. This dramatic disparity highlights Mongolia’s trade vulnerability and inherently restricts India’s ability to act as a substantial economic counterweight. Talks on exporting Tavan Tolgoi coking coal and other Mongolian reserves to India are a positive step, but they do not yet solve the fundamental structural issues of scale and logistics.
Defense and Security: Building Niche Interoperability
The security dimension of the Strategic Partnership is characterized by deepening military cooperation and growing institutional trust, although its scope remains confined to niche areas rather than exerting a grand strategic deterrent against the regional dominance of Russia and China.
Military collaboration, exemplified by the annual Nomadic Elephant joint exercises, launched in 2004, focuses on enhancing interoperability and counterinsurgency skills in rugged terrain. In 2025, Indian participation in Mongolia’s multilateral Khan Quest exercise further broadened this coordination beyond the bilateral scope. Institutionally, Mongolia signaled a strong commitment by appointing its first defense attaché to New Delhi, with Ambassador Ganbold encouraging India to reciprocate to ensure balanced growth in security ties.
While India actively supports Mongolia’s defense modernization by providing specialized equipment, such as cybersecurity tools and all-terrain vehicles suitable for the steppe, its capacity to provide the large-scale, high-end defense equipment required to fundamentally shift Mongolia’s military balance is limited.
Furthermore, the partnership’s multilateral efforts – such as alignment on SCO counterterrorism and Mongolia’s diplomatic support for India’s U.N. Security Council bid – reflect a shared multilateral ideal and reciprocal favors rather than an immediate security pact. Thus, Ganbold’s assertion of the partnership acting as a “force multiplier” remains more theoretical than proven in terms of hard power influence. The alliance is strategically valuable for diversification but not yet for regional deterrence.
People-to-People Ties: The Indispensable Soul of India-Mongolia Partnership
The enduring spiritual and cultural bonds between Mongolia and India form the “soul” of their relationship – an indispensable foundation that transcends trade and geographic challenges.
Shared Buddhist heritage, particularly Tibetan Buddhism, remains the most vital link. Over 400 Mongolian monks now study at 14 Indian monasteries, and Mongolia’s Education Ministry integrated native language and cultural instruction into their curriculum for these students. 
Artistic connection is flourishing, exemplified by the 25th Ganga Nrit (Melody of the River Ganga) dance festival. The festival showcased a vibrant cultural link by drawing impressive participation, with over 450 Mongolian attendees.
A scientific conference on September 19, titled “Spiritual and Strategic Partners: Mongolia and India – Seven Decades of Diplomatic Relations,” underscored the commitment to academic ties. This collaborative event was jointly organized by the Institute of International Studies of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, the Mongolian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Embassy of India.
Beyond spiritual ties, medical cooperation is growing rapidly: more Mongolian patients are traveling to Delhi’s hospitals for treatment, supported by recent visa relaxations and Indian hospital representatives based in Ulaanbaatar.
Equally significant is the quality of diplomatic appointments, which reflects Ulaanbaatar’s prioritization of the relationship. Four of Mongolia’s 17 ambassadors to India served as Mongolian foreign minister, signaling high political value. Indian envoys have also shaped the partnership: the revered Ladakh Buddhist lama, the 19th Khushok Bakula Rinpoche (1990–2000), revived post-Communism Buddhism in Mongolia and guided its early democratic transition; Mohinder Pratap Singh (2019–2023) secured 150,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses and Remdesivir for Mongolia during peak COVID-19. Since March 2024, current Ambassador Atul Malhari Gotsurve has focused on accelerating economic and digital cooperation, including the Dornogobi oil refinery and bilateral IT pacts.
Complementing these efforts are people-to-people initiatives, such as Ganbold’s proposal to deploy 1,000 Indian English teachers. These complement existing scholarships and strengthen long-term ties.
Ultimately, these practical and spiritual exchanges – from medical tourism and English teacher proposals to high-caliber diplomacy – have a powerful, immediate impact on Mongolians’ quality of life, arguably more tangible than infrastructure projects funded by Lines of Credit (LoC).
Conclusion 
The 70-year history of India-Mongolia diplomacy confirms that shared values and vision can decisively transcend geographic distance, forging a bond rooted in spiritual brotherhood and strategic partnership. Even as bilateral economic scale remains limited, they underscore the partnership’s strategic value: India, as a democratic, tech-driven ally, is key to Mongolia’s Third Neighbor balancing act, while Mongolia serves as a critical node for India’s Act East initiative and a potential gateway to Central Asia.
The future of the relationship, however, demands a shift from aspiration to scaled action. The trajectory will be defined by concrete milestones, notably Khurelsukh’s upcoming visit to India and the successful commissioning of the Dornogobi oil refinery. 
For the partnership to truly merit its “strategic” title, it must urgently overcome two critical challenges. High-level intent must translate into rapid economic delivery. Khurelsukh’s visit must secure a rapid timeline for the Mongolian first oil refinery and firm up access to critical mineral supply chains. Meanwhile, both nations must realistically address the logistical chokepoints and marginal economic scale relative to China and Russia. 
In an era of geopolitical flux, the enduring bond between India and Mongolia remains a beacon of resilience. The legacy is clear: true partnership is strengthened by common purpose, not mere proximity.
BY Guest Author
Sumiya Chuluunbaatar
Sumiya Chuluunbaatar is an economist and expert on international issues. Sumiya is currently working as a non-resident fellow at the Institute of International Studies, Mongolian Academy of Sciences.

 

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Turnaround Track Installed as Construction Progresses on Ulaanbaatar’s First Urban Cable Car System www.montsame.mn

Ulaanbaatar is making visible progress on its first urban cable car system, a landmark infrastructure project designed to ease traffic, cut air pollution, and improve public transport connectivity. The Cable Car Transport Project – Line I, a 4.2 km route connecting the Yarmag area (Artsat Yarmag Station) to Unur khoroolol (Kharkhorin Station) via a crossing over the Tuul River, is currently under active construction.
A turnaround track, a key structural component enabling the movement of cables and cabins, has been installed at the Yarmag Station. Out of the planned 19 pylons (support towers), six have already been erected at the Yarmag and Kharkhorin sites.
Nearby, construction is ongoing on a garage facility that will house cable car cabins, with concrete foundation and structural works currently underway.
The project is being led by engineers from France's POMA Group, with Monnis Engineering serving as the local subcontractor.
According to the current timeline, concrete works will be completed by October 30, and all 19 support towers are scheduled for installation by November 2025. Interior work for technical systems, including plumbing, heating, ventilation, communication, and control systems, will begin in January 2026.
Notably, the cabins will feature heating systems for winter comfort, ventilation for summer operation, dual power supplies for reliability, and safety equipment to ensure secure and efficient service year-round.
The project is being managed by the Unified Project Management Authority, a state-owned enterprise acting as the client representative. The authority is working closely with contractors to ensure timely and efficient implementation.
Cable Car Transport Project – Line I:
Line Length: 4.2 km
Stations: 2 (6.45–42 meters in elevation)
Support Towers / Pylons: 19
Peak Capacity: 2,320 passengers per hour

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World Bank lowers Mongolia's 2025 GDP growth forecast www.xinhuanet.com

The World Bank has revised down Mongolia's gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for 2025 to 5.9 percent, compared with its previous estimate of 6.3 percent made in April, according to a report released Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the World Bank raised its projection for 2026, expecting Mongolia's economy to expand by 5.6 percent, up from the 5.2 percent forecast in April.
The latest adjustments reflect the impact of U.S. tariff-driven uncertainty on the global economy, the World Bank said in its report.
Last month, the Asian Development Bank also trimmed its forecasts for Mongolia's GDP growth in both 2025 and 2026 to 5.7 percent, citing weaker exports and the lingering effects of high inflation.
Mongolia's economy grew 5.6 percent in the first half of 2025, according to the country's National Statistics Office.

 

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