During India’s PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Mongolia in 2015, he stated defence is an important element of bilateral engagement with Mongolia, which resulted in the upgradation of India and Mongolia ties to a strategic partnership. India and Mongolia are working to tap the benefits and opportunities the relationship provides.

The Nomadic Elephant-23, a joint military exercise, is an important example and notable milestone in Indo-Mongolian bilateral relationship to deepen defence cooperation in the coming years.

Military exercise, cooperation and alignment of strategic interest are part of a country’s policy to proceed further and strengthen its bilateral ties with other nations. On July 17, Mongolia and India began the 15th edition of the Nomadic Elephant exercise- started in 2004 – at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, which will continue till July 31, 2023.The annual training event, with the last edition held in India in October 2019, the exercise focuses on building positive military relationships, exchanging best military practices, developing interoperability and establishing bonhomie and friendship between both armies.

The Nomadic exercise has become a part of both governments to improve the relationship and cooperation between both governments. The exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations in the mountainous region under the United Nations (UN) mandate, enhancing both armies’ skills and capabilities.