India’s foreign policy is integrated with the national priority of sustained, rapid, and inclusive socio-economic development. Our extensive engagement with the globalized world is guided by our desire for garnering an appropriate role for India in the changing international environment; by the imperative to maintain an atmosphere of peace, security and stability in the extended neighbourhood that is conducive for national growth and development and by the need to enhance India’s economic and technological development by leveraging external linkages. Our foreign policy has demonstrated dynamism in responding to the shifting international strategic and political environment, and addressing

 A.1    As you are aware we are marking the 55^th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in the modern context. In the historical context, this is a very old and trusted relationship spanning a few centuries. I must pay my tribute to those valiant souls, both Mongolian and Indian, who have traversed thousands of miles in intellectual pursuit and academic discourse. It is no accident that legendary Chinggis Khan had Buddhist scholars at his court.

          The celebrations have already started. The National University of Mongolia, which hosts the Chair for Sanskrit and Buddhist Studies, in cooperation with the Mongolia-India Friendship Society, Mongolia-India Cultural Centre and Research Centre for India, had a scientific conference on 13 December, 2010.

A.1    Thank you very much for congratulations. Let me also heartily felicitate you, leadership of Mongolia and the people of Mongolia on the occasion of 55^th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Mongolia. These were established on 24 December, 1955, and as you have rightly pointed out India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Mongolia. I may mention that since then we have had high-level political interaction. Our Vice President who was a philosopher diplomat paid an official visit to Mongolia in 1957, just within two years of establishment of diplomatic relations. Mongolia was quick in opening its diplomatic Mission in India in 1956 whereas we could come in only in February 1971 and since then have had our continuous presence.

A.1.   Thank you very much for your congratulations on the eve of 55^th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Mongolia. I would like to take this opportunity and through you would like to congratulate the leadership and people of Mongolia on this occasion. To recapitulate, we established diplomatic relations between India and Mongolia on 24 December, 1955, probably one of the first few countries to do so. Mongolia was quick and opened its diplomatic Mission in India in 1956 whereas we opened our Embassy only in 1971. Since then we have been here. Intensified bilateral exchange and interaction at every level speaks for itself. During this period we have had very solid political relations and robust civil society interaction. 55^th Anniversary is really a deserved one as it comes after the first State visit of President Elbegdorj to India in September 2009. 

A.1    You are absolutely correct that we are “intellectual neighbor”. For this heritage we are grateful to our ancestors. I must pay my tribute to those valiant souls, both Mongolian and Indian, who have traversed thousands of miles in intellectual pursuit and academic discourse. This connection between India and Mongolia is flourishing. It is heartening to hear the sounds of gongs at Buddhist temples in Ulaanbaatar and many other places of Mongolia. Young Monks and Preachers have been travelling to India. Similarly, Indian scholars and professors dedicated to religious and aesthetic studies have been visiting Mongolia. We are for further deepening of these ties. It is also heartening to note that many young Mongolians are now studying in India in various fields. 

 Q.1    Although the diplomatic relations between our two countries have only over 55 years of history, Mongolia and India have had the long standing religious and cultural relationships. What can you tell regarding about our relationship in that sense?

 Q.1    Excellency, first of all, I congratulate you on the behalf of our readers that you have agreed to be guest of our newspaper and take part in its interview. I have heard just a few days ago there was a national traditional day of India. What was that day? If one has observed, it seems that India has a number of national traditional days of celebrations. Would you please elaborate on this?

Ans. Thank you very much for inviting me for interview with your paper. It is a rare privilege. I convey my sincere gratitude to the newspaper. In fact we have only three National Days in India. These are : (i) Independence Day – which is marked on 15 August every year, when India became independent from the colonial power Britain; (ii) 2 October – which is Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday and now marked as the ‘International Day of Non-violence’.