India to boost Mongolia's border forces with capacity-building programme

India will launch a new capacity-building programme for Mongolia’s border security forces, further cementing defence cooperation between the two nations. Mongolia shares one of its borders with China.

The announcement came during Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh’s official visit to India, as he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Delivering opening remarks during a joint press statement, Prime Minister Modi stated, “Our defence and security cooperation is also steadily strengthening… India will also launch a new capacity-building programme for Mongolia's border security forces.”

According to sources, the programme could involve infrastructure development, personnel training, and the provision of technical assistance.

India already conducts training programmes for the Mongolian armed forces and had recently appointed a Defence Attaché at its Embassy in Ulaanbaatar to further facilitate bilateral defence engagement.

President Khurelsukh’s visit from October 13-16 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Mongolia.

A joint statement following the Modi-Khurelsukh meeting stated that "India and Mongolia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation and exchanges through military exercises." The two Armies currently conduct joint drills, including Nomadic Elephant and Khaan Quest.

Mongolia welcomed the Government of India’s decision to establish a dedicated Defence Wing at its embassy in Ulaanbaatar.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had also called on Khurelsukh. The two leaders acknowledged how the two democracies have shared interest in peace and prosperity of the entire region and hoped that their meeting would further diversify the relationship into new areas of cooperation.

The Ministry of Defence said Singh and the Mongolian President highlighted that the two nations share a strategic partnership and defence is a key pillar of this cooperation.

The bilateral defence engagements have expanded over a period of time to include wide-ranging contacts between the two countries including joint working group meeting, military-to-military exchanges, high-level visits, capacity building, training programmes and bilateral exercises.