Echoes of the Steppe and the Himalayas : India-Mongolia Strategic Alliance
2025 marks the establishment of 70 years of diplomatic ties between India and Mongolia. Although geographically distant, both countries are connected through shared historical, cultural and spiritual ties deeply rooted in Buddhism. The signing of a Strategic Partnership in 2015 marked a significant milestone in their relations. 2015 was a momentous year as it marked the first-ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Mongolia.
This strategic partnership marked a significant moment in their bilateral ties as it showed a convergence of India’s “Act East” policy with Mongolia’s “Third Neighbour” policy. It showcased the proactive approach both countries are willing to take and build security cooperation in a complex geopolitical world.
Image Credits : https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2132473
In order to boost their strategic ties, defence cooperation has emerged as an important pillar for both countries to further work on. Joint military exercises like Nomadic Elephant and Khaan Quest, and annual meetings of the Joint Working Group for defence cooperation, working on coordinated capacity building and peacekeeping operations, strengthen regional security, build mutual trust and enhance security cooperation. The robust defence engagement highlights that for India, Mongolia plays an important role in India’s Act East policy, and as a fellow democratic country, holds similar values and principles. It also helps in projecting India as a responsible regional and principled power.
For Mongolia, defence ties with India assert its identity as a “spiritual neighbour”, while diversifying its security alliance with New Delhi through its Third Neighbour policy. This visit led to the signing of an MOU on the establishment of a Cyber Security Training Centre in Ulaanbaatar, an MOU on cooperation in the field of border guarding and an MOU on cooperation between National Security Councils. Defence cooperation ties in various sectors not only address immediate strategic issues and interests but also reinforce the national identity and narratives that both countries seek from each other.
Owing to the growing geopolitical vulnerability in the region and the growing Chinese influence, which calls for strategic depth in their partnership. India’s Act East Policy and Mongolia’s Third Neighbour Policy work together to intensify their security and defence engagement. Mongolia’s Third Neighbour Policy is an extension of its military doctrine.
