India offered to cooperate with Mongolia in developing its renewable energy sector as well as in human resources development.

Indian Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah made the offer to Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj.

Abdullah was in Ulaanbaatar to represent India at the inaugural ceremony of the President of Mongolia Tsakhia Elbegdorj, who has been re-elected to a second four-year term.

Abdullah also handed over a letter of felicitation from Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, lauding the personal vision and commitment of Elbegdorj to the comprehensive partnership between India and Mongolia and extending an invitation to the Mongolian President to visit India.

He also met Mongolia’s Foreign Minister Lu Bold and Minister of Environment and Green Development Sanjaasuren Oyun.

Elbegdorj’s oath taking ceremony was attended by members of Mongolia’s parliament and government as well as representatives from several countries, including Ministerial level delegations from Russia, Japan, China and France.

 “India and Mongolia have close and warm ties underpinned by civilisational and cultural linkages with this predominantly Buddhist nation. A large number of Mongolians travel to India for spiritual, educational and medical purposes. Indian cuisine and cinema are becoming increasingly popular in this landlocked nation of nearly three million people,” India”s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said in a statement on Wednesday.

Bilateral relations have expanded over the past few years to cover cooperation in defence and strategic issues in addition to cultural and educational exchanges.

 Elbegdorj had made India the destination for his first overseas visit after taking over as President of Mongolia for his first term in 2009.

 “The government’s decision to depute a senior Cabinet Minister to the President’s inauguration underlines the importance that India places on further strengthening its bilateral relations with Mongolia,” read the statement.