Joint Declaration on the Comprehensive Partnership between India and Mongolia
14/09/2009
1. The President of Mongolia, His Excellency Mr. Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj is presently on a State Visit to India from September 13 to 16 2009 at the invitation of the President of the Republic of India, Her Excellency Shrimati Pratibha Patil.
2. The President of Mongolia was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on 14 September 2009, and also had a meeting with the President of India. The Presidents of India and Mongolia reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on recent regional and international developments of mutual interest.
3. The Vice President of India and the Minister of External Affairs called on the President of Mongolia.
4. The President of Mongolia held delegation level discussions with the Prime Minister of India. Both sides agreed that the Treaty of Friendly Relations and Cooperation between the Republic of India and Mongolia signed in 1994 constitutes the firm foundation for bilateral relations. They noted with satisfaction the all-round progress in the bilateral relationship since the visit of the Prime Minister of Mongolia to India in January 2004. They were in complete agreement that the decision to elevate bilateral relations to a new level of partnership, which was decided during that visit, has strengthened bilateral relations.
5. The two sides acknowledged the excellent state of political relations based on historical and cultural ties, common democratic traditions and a shared desire for regional peace and stability.
6. Both parties agreed to upgrade the level of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Partnership and shared a broad consensus on the future direction of India-Mongolia relations. They have reached the following understandings:
(1) Regular exchange of high level visits between the two countries.
(2) Regular consultations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries. The Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister of Mongolia will visit India at a mutually convenient time in 2010. The two sides will also hold the next meeting of the Joint Committee on Cooperation in New Delhi at an early date.
(3) Development of defence exchanges and cooperation on the basis of the Agreement on Cooperation in Defence Matters signed in 2001. The 5th joint military exercise will be held in Mongolia later this month. The 3rd meeting of the Joint Working Group on Defence Cooperation will be held in Ulaanbaatar at a mutually convenient time in 2010.
(4) Regular consultations between the National Security Councils of India and Mongolia on issues of mutual interest in regional and multilateral affairs, including on the subject of cooperation against terrorism.
(5) Promotion of greater trade and economic activity between the two countries.
(6) Participation of Indian companies through joint venture and investment in the mining sector in Mongolia. A delegation from India has been invited to Mongolia to discuss the prospects for such cooperation.
(7) Exploring cooperation in the area of agriculture, including through the deputation of Indian experts to assist Mongolia in enhancing output through high yield crops.
(8) To double the number of slots to 120 in recognition of the importance that the Government of Mongolia attaches to the training of their students in India under the Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme. The Ministry of External Affairs will also provide 3 slots annually to the Foreign Ministry of Mongolia in the Professional Courses for Foreign Diplomats at the Foreign Service Institute of India.
7. The Government of Mongolia has requested the Government of India for economic assistance to mitigate the adverse impact of the global financial crisis. The Government of India has agreed to the request of the Government of Mongolia for a soft loan of US$ 25 million to assist in the stabilization of the economy.
8. The two sides attach importance to cooperation with Mongolia in the field of education on the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2003. They agree that the teaching assistance provided by India has contributed to the development of cooperation in this area. In pursuance of this cooperation, the Government of India has agreed to consider the request of the Mongolian side for financial assistance for the construction of a school building in Ulaanbaatar for the India-Mongolia Joint School after the Mongolian side makes a specific proposal. The Government of India also agrees to give positive consideration to the request of the Mongolian side for the provision of additional teaching staff by India when the necessary infrastructure has been established.
9. The two parties have agreed to cooperate in information and communications technology sector through exchanges between businesses, research and educational institutions, government agencies and other organizations. The Mongolian side requested India to assist in launching an IT education and outsourcing centre and a national monitoring centre for detection and prevention of intrusion. The Indian side expressed its willingness to consider these proposals, including assistance through a Line of Credit, at the next meeting of the India-Mongolia Joint Committee.
10. The two sides also agreed that the historical, cultural and spiritual links between India and Mongolia are important and need to be nurtured through the promotion of tourism and culture. They welcomed the signing of a new Cultural Exchange Programme for the years 2009 to 2012. They welcomed the establishment of a Mongolian Monastery in Bodhgaya, and decided to strengthen exchanges in the field of Buddhism, including Buddhist studies, in order to preserve this common heritage. The Indian side welcomed the growing number of Mongolian students who are coming to India for educational purposes.
11. The two sides share a complete identity of views on regional and multilateral matters. Both sides reiterated their readiness to enhance their cooperation on issues related to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, including through enhanced interaction at multilateral forums such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM).
12. The Government of Mongolia reiterated its complete support to India’s candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council when the expansion takes place. The Government of India expressed its appreciation to the Government of Mongolia for this expression of support and for the expression of support to India’s candidature for election to the non-permanent seat for 2011-2012.
13. Both India and Mongolia strongly condemn the menace of international terrorism and its devastating effect on democratic societies and on human civilization itself. They affirmed that there can be no justification for terrorism, and reiterated their resolve to work towards strengthening of the global consensus and legal regimes against terrorism, including early finalization of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
14. The following agreements were signed during the visit:
(1) Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Health
(2) Agreement on Stabilization Loan Assistance
(3) MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Statistics
(4) MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Peaceful Use of adioactive Minerals & Nuclear Energy
(5) Cultural Exchange Programme for 2009-2012
15. The two sides agreed that the State Visit of the President of Mongolia has strengthened the traditionally friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, and will provide impetus for the further development of the bilateral partnership. The President of Mongolia has invited the President, Vice President and Prime Minister of the Republic of India to visit Mongolia at a mutually convenient time. The invitations were accepted with appreciation. The timing of these visits will be decided through diplomatic channels.
New Delhi
September 14, 2009