Crossroads Asia | Diplomacy | East Asia | South Asia

Why India’s Foreign Minister Went to Mongolia

Eurasian-Indo Pacific connectivity begins with Mongolia and India.

Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa meets with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, June 22, 2026.

India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar recently concluded his East Asia tour, which included Mongolia. The official visit emphasized Mongolia and India’s strategic partnership, growing bilateral economic engagements, and marked political will from both sides to bolster cooperation, displaying a deeper connectivity between Eurasia and the Indo-Pacific. 

Jaishankar’s official visit to Mongolia, from June 22 to 23, was part of the 10-year strategic roadmap established in 2025 during Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa’s state visit to New Delhi.

During Jaishankar’s visit to Ulaanbaatar, he met with Khurelsukh, Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh, and other senior government officials to strengthen bilateral cooperation in several areas, particularly, mining, technology, and human resources. 

In his press statement, Jaishankar referred to Mongolia and India as “strategic partners” and “spiritual siblings.” The Modi government’s strategic focus – which ranges from comprehensive digital and physical connectivity and defense partnerships to economic integration, promoted by cultural diplomacy – aligns with Mongolia’s economic and development goals. Thus, India is and will continue to be an important third-neighbor partner to Mongolia. 

On June 22, Jaishankar visited the flagship Mongol Oil Refinery in Dornigovi Province. India is currently constructing Mongolia’s first-ever greenfield oil refinery in Dornigovi. The project is financed by a $1.7 billion line of credit. When completed, the Mongol Refinery will be the second largest major foreign investment project after Rio Tinto’s Oyu Tolgoi and has potential to change Mongolia’s energy sector. 

Importantly, the oil refinery is one of the largest investments being financed by Mongolia’s third neighbors outside of the mining sector. The successful completion and operation of the refinery will serve as a major source of diversification for Mongolia’s limited market. Hence, the completion of the project is highly anticipated by both Mongolia and India. 

However, mining remains an important focus of Mongolia’s economic strategy – and India is also a possible third destination for Mongolia’s coking coal industry. Given India’s increasing need of coal for its technological advancement and steel industry, Jaishankar expressed interest in exploring logistical opportunities for Mongolia to export coking coal and other mining products to India. 

In addition to economic engagements, Mongolia and India both employ soft power mechanisms in navigating international and regional affairs. Cultural diplomacy, religious links, and education have become the pillars of........

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