Ulan Bator: India on Sunday announced a USD one billion credit line to Mongolia to support its infrastructure development as the two countries decided to deepen cooperation in border security and explore the huge potential of tie ups in civil nuclear sector, mining, healthcare and other areas.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Mongolia, the first ever by an Indian Premier, held wide- ranging discussions with his Mongolian counterpart Chimed Saikhanbileg, pledging to take bilateral economic partnership to a new level.
“Today, Mongolia is also an integral part of India’s Act East Policy,” Modi said in a statement at a joint press meet with the Mongolian premier at the State Palace.
“The destinies of India and Mongolia are closely linked with the future of Asia Pacific region. We can work together to help advance peace, stability and prosperity in this region,” he said.
The two Prime Ministers signed a joint statement committing to further consolidate bilateral ties and upgrade the comprehensive partnership to “strategic partnership” and agreed to renew their Treaty of Friendly Relations and Cooperation.
The two sides inked 13 other pacts that includes one on enhancing cooperation in border guarding, policing and surveillance, air services, cyber security and new and renewable energy.
On a day of packed schedule, Modi addressed the Mongolian Parliament, which was specially convened on a holiday, saying this is a region of ancient wisdom and youthful dynamism.
“It is a continent that is expected to lead the world in the 21st century. “Yet, this is also a region that lives on the uneasy edge of uncertainty, of unsettled questions, of unresolved disputes and of unforgotten memories,” he said.
India and Mongolia support the evolution of open, balanced and inclusive security architecture in the Asia Pacific region based on collected efforts, considering legitimate interests of all states of the region guided by respect for norms and principles of international law, the joint statement said. Both leaders underlined the urgent need for reform of UN Security Council by expanding in both permanent and non-permanent categories to reflect contemporary realities and make it more representative and effective in dealing with emerging challenges.
They stressed that 2015 being the 70th anniversary year of the United Nations provides a historic opportunity to push for concrete outcomes on the unanimous call for “early reforms” of the Security Council made collectively by all Heads of States and Governments in 2005.
On its part, Mongolia reiterated its support to India’s candidature for permanent members of the UNSC when the expansion takes place.
Both India and Mongolia have agreed to offer reciprocal support for their bids for a non-permanent seat in the UNSC for 2021-22 and 2023-24 respectively.
The two leaders noted that the nature and spread of international terrorism in recent years posed a threat to all humanity and required global resolve and cooperative measures of the international community without double standards or selectivity.
They agreed to direct concerned officials to work together for the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
They hoped that all safe havens and sanctuaries for terrorists will be wiped out without delay.A treaty was inked by the two sides on the transfer of sentenced persons. On economic cooperation, Modi and Saikhanbileg agreed to encourage development of equal and mutually beneficial trade, investment and economic cooperation, which is balanced, sustainable and leads to prosperity in both countries.
The two leaders agreed to encourage Indian companies to further explore cooperation opportunities in Mongolia’s mining sector through joint ventures and investment.
He also laid the foundation stone for the expansion and upgrading of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Centre for Excellence in information and Communication technology. (PTI)
