India and Mongolia Reaffirm Commitment to Strengthening Defence Partnership at 14th Joint Working Group Meeting.
Ulaanbaatar:
India and Mongolia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation during the 14th Joint Working Group meeting between the Defence Ministries of the two countries, held in Ulaanbaatar on October 16, 2026.
The meeting reviewed ongoing defence cooperation activities, assessed the progress of existing initiatives and explored measures to expand collaboration in mutually identified areas. Both sides emphasised the importance of sustained dialogue in strengthening their longstanding defence partnership and exchanged views on regional and international developments.
The meeting was co-chaired by Dr Ishita Ganguli Tripathy, Joint Secretary in India’s Ministry of Defence, and Brigadier General Gansukh E, Deputy State Secretary of Defence of Mongolia.
Both delegations appreciated the successful conclusion of the Nomadic Elephant joint military exercise, which highlighted the commitment of the two countries to enhancing defence cooperation and strengthening military ties. Mongolia also acknowledged India’s continued support in capacity building and the training of personnel of the Mongolian Armed Forces.
As part of the engagement, Dr Ishita Ganguli Tripathy met Major General Usukhbayar J, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved in defence cooperation and discussed opportunities to deepen engagement between their armed forces.
The discussions also focused on strengthening defence relations and developing a forward-looking agenda for the India-Mongolia Strategic Partnership. The two countries expressed their shared interest in building on existing initiatives and identifying new areas of cooperation.
The Indian delegation also visited Mongolia’s National Defence University to review the functioning of its Cyber Security Training Centre, established with Indian assistance.
The Mongolian side appreciated India’s continued support in language training and cybersecurity. The visit highlighted the importance of capacity building, knowledge-sharing and technical cooperation in enhancing defence capabilities and strengthening institutional ties between the two countries.
India and Mongolia share longstanding historical, cultural and civilisational connections that provide a strong foundation for their contemporary partnership. Their shared faith and cultural heritage continue to contribute to closer relations and mutual understanding.
The meeting reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation, regular exchanges and collaborative initiatives in advancing the India-Mongolia Strategic Partnership, particularly in defence training, cybersecurity and military capacity building.
