Mongolia’s first oil refinery built with assistance from India will be completed by 2025. This is a significant development for the India – Mongolia bilateral relations. In this article, we discuss more about the Mongolia refinery project and its significance, from the IAS exam perspective.
India-built Mongolia Refinery by 2025
India is assisting Mongolia to build its first oil refinery. Mongolia relies entirely on Russia for its energy imports and this refinery will enable it to fulfil 70% of its demand domestically. This refinery will give Mongolia more independence and energy security.
India & Mongolia – Other Areas of Cooperation:
- Mining and metals:
- Mongolia possesses a significant abundance of coking coal, copper, gold, uranium, and rare earth elements.
- Substantial discussion is happening to bring coking coal from Mongolia to India.
- Rare earth elements are abundantly present in Mongolia’s deposits.
- The development of advanced technological capabilities in semiconductors and green mobility may be essential for India to achieve its aspirations and rare earths are important for these industries.
- Renewable energy
- Mongolia has huge acres of open and empty land area and receives more than 270 days of sun in a year.
- This provides a scope of increased cooperation in the field of renewable energy such as solar energy, wind energy and hydroelectricity.
- Tourism:
- For many Mongolians, India is the land of the Buddha and this can be used to increase the tourist footfall in India from Mongolia.
- Agriculture:
- A huge amount of vacant land and more than enough solar insolation makes Mongolia a perfect place for promoting agriculture and India could help Mongolia in the development and cultivation of many different crop varieties.
- Defence:
- India and Mongolia conduct a joint military exercise by the name, ‘Nomadic Elephant’.
- Indo-Mongol cooperation in the field of education and medical facilities can help Mongols explore the possibilities of developing facilities, research and training centres.
About Mongolia:
- Mongolia, the least densely populated sovereign country in the world, is situated between Russia in the north and China in the south.
- It is completely dependent on Russia for its energy imports.
- Mongolia considers India as one of its ‘third neighbours’ – countries that can provide support and cooperation to Mongolia in various aspects, including political, economic, and social.
- The concept of “third neighbours” is important for Mongolia’s independence as a state, as it allows them to broaden their cooperation beyond their immediate neighbours and engage with other countries in the international arena.
India-Built Mongolia Refinery:- Download PDF Here
| Related Links | |||
| India – Mongolia Relations | Mongolian Kanjur | ||
| India’s bilateral relations | India-Afghanistan Relations | ||
| International Solar Alliance (ISA) | UPSC Environment and Ecology | ||
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