By Times Headline & Munsif TV
His Excellency Ganbold Dambajav, Ambassador of Mongolia to India, has been at the forefront of strengthening the cultural, economic, and strategic bonds between the two countries. With historical ties rooted in Buddhism and centuries of cultural exchange, India and Mongolia today enjoy a relationship elevated to the level of a strategic partnership. In this exclusive conversation with Times Headline and Munsif Tv, Ambassador Dambajav reflects on the deep-rooted friendship between the nations, the growing scope for bilateral cooperation, and his vision for the future of India-Mongolia relations.
Q1. India and Mongolia share historical and cultural ties dating back to ancient times. How do these cultural connections influence contemporary diplomacy between the two countries?
Our bilateral relations started much earlier than 70 years of formal diplomacy. Historical evidence shows Mongol engagement from the first century. We share a huge cultural and historical heritage, which gives us a strong basis to develop and widen our relations.
In my three and a half years in India, I have seen many commonalities- love for family, respect for elders, and teachers. Mongolian scholars studied at Nalanda, and Indians visited Mongolia centuries ago. Our ancestors had a special bond, even without modern transport, crossing the Himalayas on foot.
Today, our relations have reached the level of a strategic partnership, proclaimed during Prime Minister Modiji’s historic visit in 2015. This opened wide avenues of cooperation in politics, economy, defense, IT, education, health, and culture, thanks to our historic background.
Q2. India has been actively investing in Mongolia’s mining and infrastructure sectors. How do you see bilateral economic cooperation evolving in the next 5–10 years?
Mongolia opened up to the world only 30 years ago, so we are at the starting point. We are rich in minerals, gold, copper, uranium, and coal. The first oil refinery in Mongolia is being built with an Indian soft loan and will be operational by 2027–28, meeting up to 75% of our petroleum needs.
Opportunities are not limited to mining. The IT Centre of Excellence will soon be operational, and a Friendship Secondary School will open next academic year. Agriculture is another area; we have vast untapped land with only 3.5 million people.
Tourism has great potential. With direct flights between Mongolia and India, it will be easier for Indian tourists to visit. Education and medical cooperation are also important. My wish is to bring Indian English teachers to rural Mongolia so every child can have access to quality English education.
I tell Indian business colleagues: do not limit yourself to Mongolia’s borders. From Mongolia, you can reach Russia, Siberia, Inner Mongolia, and Manchuria. Once you establish in Mongolia, you can expand beyond.
Q3. What do you feel about Indian cooperation and foreign policy? What do you think about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s role?
Prime Minister Modiji is very active in foreign policy. He is a strong leader, not only in India but at the regional and global level. Dr. Jaishankar also plays a very strong role.
Since 2014, Modiji’s government has launched around 37 initiatives, including Digital India, GST, infrastructure, bullet trains, and investments, all of which raise the living standards of Indian citizens and bring India global recognition.
Everybody now acknowledges Modiji as a global figure, one of the most popular politicians in the world. His position is strong since he can meet anyone, deliver his message, and defend India’s interests.
I wish him good health and well-being. I am confident that under his leadership, India will reach not only the third-largest economy but even greater heights.
Q4. As Ambassador, what do you see as your most important role in fostering deeper India–Mongolia ties?
As an embassy, we are involved in all areas of cooperation. But personally, I see engagement with Indian people as my main duty.
Whenever I travel around India, I try to meet local people, especially students. The young generation is our future; they should know about our relations. I always ask for student interactions, deliver lectures, and hold Q&A sessions. Their mentality is different from ours, and I enjoy engaging with them.
I have spoken at Delhi University, JNU, and plan to deliver remarks in Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai. This personal approach and engagement with Indians is, I believe, one of the most important aspects of my work as a diplomat.
Q5. On the security front, India and Mongolia have worked together in areas like defense and peacekeeping. Could you please tell us more about the nature of this cooperation?
Our bilateral defense cooperation is developing rapidly, and I’m happy to inform you that since the last two years, we have established a defense institution at our embassy. We received our colonel, who is now our defense attaché. We see that the reciprocal move should be done by the Indian side, and they should send their defense attaché to Ulaanbaatar.
One part of our cooperation is peacekeeping. Mongolia is one of the top 15 countries providing peacekeeping troops under the UN mandate. We see it as an empowerment of our armed forces because they gain good experience working abroad.
I personally visited Mongolian peacekeepers in South Sudan in 2018. At that time, your Indian peacekeepers were our neighbors, and we visited each other often. From my experience, Indian peacekeepers and diplomats are very humble, knowledgeable, and skilled.
Overall, Mongolia and India share the same philosophy of life, respect for nature, family, peace. Based on this, our two countries can contribute to regional and global peace. Together, we can be important players in establishing peace not only regionally but at the global level.
Q6. What is your message to the people of India regarding Mongolia’s culture, opportunities, and friendship with India?
Our two countries share a long, rich history. Based on this heritage, we must move forward. Mongolians are hospitable people, as are Indians. There are many opportunities yet to be discovered.
On the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations, my message is that Mongolia is your reliable and friendly neighbor in Northeast Asia, and the only democracy in the region. We want more Indians to come, to travel, to do business, to teach, to work in IT.
Mongolia produces 70-80% of the world’s raw cashmere. This is an opportunity for Indian textile to come, establish factories, and export globally. Cooperation should always be mutually beneficial, and I am confident that India-Mongolia cooperation will continue to grow in new areas.
The Ambassador concluded by highlighting the significance of the upcoming state visit of the President of Mongolia to India and invited people to participate in cultural events celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations. With optimism about the future and confidence in the deep-rooted bonds between the two nations, His Excellency reiterated that “Mongolia and India are spiritual neighbors, and together we can build a future of prosperity, peace, and friendship.”