Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. MONTSAME News Agency took an interview from Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to Mongolia M.P.Singh on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

-What was your first impression of Mongolia?

-My first impression on Mongolia in short words is SIMPLY STUNNING & BEAUTIFUL. Mongolia, with its captivating scenic surroundings, pure and untamed nature with some exceptionally friendly and hospitable people, beacons and attracts you instantly. I would call Mongolia as a Hidden Tourist Gem and adventurers’ paradise that has vast & incredible landscapes, snow covered mountains, golden sand dunes, heavenly lakes interspersed with Buddhist chanting in Monasteries. And I must hasten to add that the horses, camels, sheep and hawks that are my personal favourite.

-What do you plan for increase the bilateral-relations between two countries?

-Indeed, I assumed charge as Ambassador at an exciting time in our relationship when our bilateral relations are on ascendance and there is a strong momentum. So I am glad that you asked about the USD 1.236 billion first Oil Refinery of Mongolia being constructed in Dornogobi with the assistance from Indian government. This is a milestone project and a testimony of our close friendship and strategic partnership for supporting speedy economic development of Mongolia.

This refinery expected to be completed by 2023 is capable of producing 1.5 million metric tons or about 80% of current Mongolian oil requirement will usher in ‘energy security’, create more employment opportunity, save foreign exchange and most likely will bring down the domestic oil prices.

With a view to help its domestic operations and maintenance, India is also assisting with capacity building for the upcoming Oil Refinery by arranging tailor made training suited to local environment for Mongolian Engineers, Technicians, IT personnel, HR officials in specialized Indian Institutions. Starting this year, we have allocated 40 fully funded Indian scholarships. Coming to the second part of your question, quite naturally, mega project of this size would touch every aspect of economic activity in Mongolia and certainly result in generating greater interest among Indian companies, businessmen, professionals in Mongolian market to avail trade and commercial opportunities. We are expecting the peak numbers of Indians in Mongolia to be around 2000 to 3000 from the current size of about 250 or so in next few years.

-What do you plan for the education sector?

-Education sector is so vital and critical to progress of any nation. Acknowledging its importance, various initiatives of Indian government are now driving the 3rd largest education system in the world with a sharp focus on development of education infrastructure using transformative and innovative approaches in higher & technical education, making the learning, scientific research, knowledge and end-user based. There are 39,050 colleges in India, 903 universities and estimated value of education sector in India is about US$91.7 bn. In 2017, 36.64 million students were enrolled in higher education in 2017. Newer areas of innovation like AI, Robotics are supporting Indian strengths in IT & Communication Technology. Let me tell you that the sheer scale that IT & BPO have played in Indian economy reflected in the vital statistics like US$126 Billion revenues in 201-18 with 8% share in India’s GDP controlling 56% in global outsourcing market & 45% share in services export, could also be a guiding yardstick for Mongolia to follow.

Naturally we would like to share with Mongolia, Indian expertise and domain knowledge in IT and engineering to support its capacity building and human resource to propel socio-economic growth and development. Under the platform of Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and ICCR, specialized short- and medium-term scholarship courses are provided to Mongolia for enhancing capacity in the critical engineering, banking, governance, fintech, IT, agriculture, dairy, renewable energy, media marketing etc. through 300 scholarships every year in over 250 courses in 100 premier Indian institutions.

During last 3 decades, about 3500 Mongolian professionals have been trained in India.

We would continue to support this initiative. Also in January 2020, the first Student Exchange Programme will also commence with 30 Mongolian students visiting India for 20 days during winter vacations.

-India is famous for its tourist attractions. Could you please tell us about India tourism environment?

-You are so right. The ‘Holy Land’ of India is an exotic, spiritual and recreation, 365-day tourist destination that attracted about 10 million foreign tourists in 2018. Through its numerous curated experiences to world heritage sites, snow-covered Himalayas, silver sand beaches, golden deserts, national parks, pristine palaces, venerable shrines for worship, fairs & festivals, traditional cuisine, and myriad shopping experiences, India is the 7th largest tourism economy in the world.

The World Travel & Tourism Council expects India to become the 4th largest travel and tourism economy in less than a decade. Tourism industry created about 14.6 million jobs in last 5 years registering a growth of 5.6% and brining in about US$25 billion Foreign Exchange Earnings. With relaxation of visa regime & e-visa facility now available to 167 countries, it will surely contribute further to hastening the pace of tourist arrivals and additional foreign earnings.

-Mr. Ambassador, what was your diplomatic career history?

-Well, my assignments in Cuba, Vietnam, Thailand, Canada, England and Dubai and responsibilities in Indian Protocol have enabled me to travel to over 105 countries thus allowing me to gain better understanding of different cultures, people, history, customs and assimilate their unique experiences in the line of my duty. I discovered that in this world, various countries have different lifestyle, varying levels of economic progress and living yet there are so many commonalities and convergences in their aspirations, their dreams, their pursuit for peace and happiness.

Mongolia, as I mentioned earlier, continues to be one of the few nations in the world that still retains old world rustic charm and beauty with people living peacefully in close harmony with untamed nature, following simple and honest living. I personally feel that with its eternal blue sky, own unique culture, dance and music, form of arts, a high gender equality index, enormous respect for elders and children, Mongolia is an ideal place for stress free living.

-What did you learn about Mongolian culture?

-In our 8 months here in Mongolia and reading of several books made me realize some absolutely amazing facts about Mongolia, some of which even you may not be aware like Ulaanbaatar city means ‘Red Hero’, population density is just 2.2 persons per km, horses outnumber humans by about 14 times and sheep outnumber by about 35 times, perhaps the first passport was issued by Chinggis Khan who ruled over the largest empire in the world and introduced written Mongolian script, snow leopards are native to Mongolia, Kublai Khan established Beijing city etc.

I found Mongolia to be the last bastion of untamed nature and some astonishing landscapes & beauty and home to the truly last wild horses. Notwithstanding its cold climate, Mongolia has the most friendly and hospitable people ever ready to open their home and hearts to the guests, and their children could easily disarm you with a truly genuine smile.

-Lastly, Mr Ambassador what is your main focus while here?

-Of course, my focus primarily would be to drive mutually beneficial more trade and economic content commensurate with our huge goodwill for India and in line with excellent bilateral and friendly relationship. Towards this, my priority number 1, 2 and 3 would continue to be the USD 1.236 billion Oil Refinery project. Additionally, I would also like to concentrate on timely completion of USD 20 million Atal Bihari Centre of Excellency in IT – construction of which is expected to commence in 2020 as well as establishment of Cyber Security Centre, India-Mongolia Friendship School in Ulaanbaatar city, and Training of 1000 Mongolian English teachers in the near future. To attract and promote Indian interest in Mongolian mining, mineral and oil sector, the Embassy had organized first Oil and Gas Expo in May 2019 which was attended by 32 top Indian multinational companies including Tata, ASCONs, IGSEC, L & T.

During 2020 – which also happens to be 65th anniversary of India-Mongolia diplomatic relations – we would attempt to push economic cooperation in non-traditional sectors like Tourism, Fintech, Pharmaceutical & Healthcare, Higher and Technical Education, Agriculture, Dairy and Animal Husbandry sectors. The 3 Ds – Dharma, Democracy and Development – are the pillars of India-Mongolia historical, time tested and close friendship of many centuries that pre-dates 1955 when diplomatic relationship was established. In 1961, India was one of the first countries to support membership of Mongolia into UN and in 1991, India actively pushed for its membership in NAM. Mongolia supported India’s resolution in UN for independence of Bangladesh in 1972.

In recent times, historic visit of Prime Minister Modi brought in a paradigm shift into our relationship in 2015 when India in keeping with its ‘Act East’ policy declared ‘Strategic Partnership’ with its important friend and ‘third neighbour’, Mongolia and announced USD 1 billion LoC for infrastructure development, now being used for construction of refinery. To nourish and nurture India-Mongolia relationship and to maintain sustained momentum of our friendship, during the last 20 months Foreign Minister, Home Minister and Petroleum Ministers and many other high-level dignitaries have visited Mongolia. Likewise, visits to India by Mongolian Foreign Minister, Minister of Mining and Heavy Industry, Defence Minister, Chairman of the Civil Service Council and most recently visit of the President Battulga in Sep 2019 have further cemented, reinforced and enhanced our bilateral relationship.

Let me conclude by saying that going beyond our strong historical ties, we look forward to India-Mongolia future with keen interest, great expectation and enthusiasm. While we share wonderful friendship, the best in our relationship is yet to come.