Mongolia is interested in using the Remdesivir, which is a broad-spectrum antiviral medication in combatting coronavirus. According to India’s envoy to Ulaanbaatar, Mahendra Pal Singh, the Mongolian Health Ministry has requested Remdesivir from Indian companies. Although still at an experimental phase, Remdesivir holds promise in the treatment of COVID. India is also reaching out to Mongolia during the current difficult times by sending consignments of Paracetamol and the controversial malaria treatment drug Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), which is being promoted by US President Trump.

India has proposed online courses to the Mongolian National Centre for Communicable Diseases. Two officials have already undergone such training, which has been provided by the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh. Regarding the supply of Remdesivir, it appears that a couple of Indian companies have been approached by the Mongolian Ministry of Health.

To date, Mongolia has 142 confirmed cases of coronavirus, all of which are imported, and 32 full recoveries. The country, which borders China, took resolute lockdown steps early on, by closing its borders and during the New Year Festival, by closing many of its main roads.

India and Mongolia have close relations, in fact it is one of the five countries with which Ulaanbaatar has a strategic partnership. Currently, India is assisting with the construction of Mongolia’s first oil refinery near the city of Sainshand, which will have a capacity of 1.5 million metric tonnes of crude. The USD 1.2 billion project, when completed will end the country’s total dependence on Russian oil imports and allow it to fully exploit its extensive oil reserves.