Connecting Mongolia to India

Mongolia is keen to attract Indian firms to help build rail connectivity in the country, said Mongolia’s Ambassador to India D.Ganbold.

“We have only one main railway which connects the North of our country to the South. This is the Russian Trans-Siberian Railways that goes through Mongolia to Beijing. This comes from North to South, but for the further development of Mongolia, we would like to have horizontal railway lines, for example from the South to the West. Indian firms are experts in developing infrastructure like railways and highways and this will be an interesting area of cooperation for Indian companies,” he told Mint.

India has some experience with building railway projects in other countries. Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES), a public sector enterprise set up in 1974, provides infrastructure study, rolling stock design, equipment design and a suite of engineering services to other countries.

RITES has typically handled India’s railway diplomacy and has run projects in 55 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, South America and West Asia, according to the company’s website. Currently, the company operates in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Mauritius, Bangladesh and Botswana.

Early talks with the Indian government are underway, said D.Ganbold, and the matter will be brought up during the next intergovernmental commission meetings that are expected this year.

Connectivity is at the forefront of the partnership between India and Mongolia. Both countries are discussing establishing regular direct flights in a bid to bring both sides closer economically. Two direct flights per month could commence as soon as this year.