The office of the President of Mongolia, Public Relations & Communications Division

www.president.mn

2011-07-28

President Elbegdorj and President Patil Make Statements to Press

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

After their participation in signing the documents on relations and cooperation between Mongolia and the Republic of India, Tsakhia Elbegdorj, President of Mongolia and Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of India made following statements to the press.

Statement of Tsakhia Elbegdorj, President of Mongolia to the Press

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Her Excellency Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of the Republic of India who is paying state visit to Mongolia at the invitation of the President of Mongolia and I held official talks. Our talks were held in constructive atmosphere of mutual understanding and friendship.

Madam President and I have concluded the progress in the bilateral ties since the state visit of the President of Mongolia to India in 2009 and exchanged views on expanding bilateral ties, and further cooperation on regional and international platform.

We have pointed out that thanks to our joint efforts our bilateral relations intensified in political, security and defense fields and a good start of cooperation has been made in areas such as mining, minerals, business and investment. We have agreed to encourage cooperation in the fields of nuclear energy, mining, agriculture, culture, education, health and science, in particular information technology and promote ties in social welfare, natural environment and between local governments.

I am confident that business forum of our two countries that is to be held during Her Excellency’s visit will become a promising spring board for maintaining live contacts and concrete cooperation.

We have re-affirmed to continue our tradition of successful cooperation at regional and international platforms and continue to exchange information, consult with and support each other. At a time of Mongolia’s chairmanship of Community of Democracies we have agreed to combine our efforts in the cause of promoting democracy in the region.

During Madam President’s visit the two sides signed bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement between the Governments of Mongolia and the Republic of India, Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Mongolia’s Committee for National Development and Reforms and India’s Planning Commission and Memorandum on Media Exchanges signed between the two Governments.

We have agreed to conclude in the near future another agreement of rendering 20 million U.S.Dollar aid from the Government of India to the Government of Mongolia for setting up India - Mongolia Joint Information Technology, Education and Outsourcing Center in Ulaanbaatar City.

The number of Mongolian students to study in the Republic of India annually in accordance with the cooperation program in cultural sector between the Governments of Mongolia and the Republic of India in 2009-2012 have been agreed to be increased.
We wish our esteemed guest the Madam President of the Republic of India to continue her visit to Mongolia successfully. We wish her a pleasant stay in Mongolia.

Thank you.



Statement by the President of the Republic of India H.E.Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil to the Press in Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Ladies and Gentlemen of the media,

President Elbegdorj and I have just concluded our discussions, which were held in a warm, friendly and cordial atmosphere. My visit seeks to strengthen our relationship, building upon the momentum generated by the visit of President Elbegdorj to India in September 2009, when our ties were expanded to a Comprehensive Partnership.

I conveyed to the President that I was privileged to make this State Visit when Mongolia was commemorating the "Year of Anniversaries" including the 2220th Anniversary of Mongolian Statehood, the 805th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Great Mongolian State under the leadership of the legendary Chinggis Khaan, the 100th Anniversary of the National Freedom Revolution of Mongolia and the 90th Anniversary of People’s Revolution of Mongolia.

I also recalled the bonds of culture, civilization and religion which bind our two countries together. I emphasized that we should reaffirm and strengthen our age-old ties in these fields, including by reviving contacts with Nalanda University, which is being rejuvenated as a regional seat of learning and excellence in particular, of Buddhist studies.

Today, it is encouraging that we also share other values such as democracy, rule of law and upholding the rights of the individuals. This forms the bedrock of our bilateral cooperation.

My discussions with President Elbegdorj today were wide-ranging and covered the entire gamut of our bilateral relations as well regional and global issues of mutual interest.

I confirmed that India will extend a Line of Credit of 20 Million U.S.Dollars for the "India - Mongolia Joint Information Technology, Education and Outsourcing Center" to be established in Ulaanbaatar.

India will also upgrade and modernize the Rajiv Gandhi Art and Production School as well as the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Centre of Excellence in Information and Communication Technology. We will complete this work soon. Further, we have agreed to work together on a Joint India - Mongolia School.

I conveyed that the number of slots available to Mongolia under our Technical and Economic Cooperation Program will be increased to 150. The number of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations scholarships available to Mongolia will be increased to 50. In this way, India will assist in human resource development and capacity building efforts of Mongolia.

We have signed an Agreement of Cooperation between the Planning Commission of India and its Mongolian counterpart. There is considerable expertise on plan formulation and implementation in India. We look forward to sharing our experience in this area with Mongolia.

A bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement was signed. May I state that India is willing and ready to expand collaboration in this sphere.

President Elbegdorj and I discussed ways to further our cooperation in the peaceful use of radioactive minerals and nuclear energy.

With a Memorandum on Media Exchanges signed between the two Governments, we can now hope to see more media persons from Mongolia in India. We will also send more Indian journalists here.

We also agreed to explore the possibilities of improving air connectivity between our two countries so as to enhance contacts between our peoples, including through tourism.
Mongolia has just taken over as the Chair of the Community of Democracies. I promised President Elbegdorj to assist in any way required in ensuring the success of his Chairmanship.

I thanked Mongolia for its support extended to India in becoming a Permanent Member of a reformed and expanded United Nations Security Council.

My State Visit aims at conveying the importance India attaches to its relationship with Mongolia. Our two Governments will work together in expanding this partnership.

I thank President Elbegdorj for his very warm hospitality. I invite him to visit India soon again.

Thank You.