His Excellency Mr. Atul Malhari Gotsurve, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to Mongolia, attended the event as a distinguished guest.
The year 2025 marked the historic 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and India. However, the ties between the two countries extend far beyond modern diplomacy. According to scholarly research, Mongolia and India share historical connections dating back more than 2,700 years, and their relationship has evolved through centuries of mutual cultural influence and shared spiritual heritage.
In his opening remarks, President of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and Academician S. Demberel recalled that Mongolian representatives participated in the First Asian Relations Conference held in New Delhi in 1947, where they met with India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. He noted that this historic meeting laid the foundation for modern diplomatic relations between the two countries. He further emphasized that the official establishment of diplomatic relations on December 24, 1955, marked the beginning of a new era of friendly cooperation between Mongolia and India.
Academician S. Demberel also highlighted that bilateral relations have steadily expanded over the past seven decades, evolving beyond their traditional foundations in Buddhism, cultural exchange, and historical ties into broad-based cooperation across multiple sectors.
During the event, Ambassador Atul Malhari Gotsurve delivered a lecture entitled “India’s Science and Technology Policy.” In his presentation, he noted that India is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading countries in scientific and technological advancement. In particular, the country has emerged as a major global force in information technology, space research, pharmaceuticals, engineering, artificial intelligence, and digital services.
The Ambassador also highlighted how India is integrating scientific and technological innovation into its diplomatic engagement and international cooperation efforts. He emphasized that modern India continues to strengthen its role in global affairs while achieving significant progress in the fields of economy, defense, education, culture, humanitarian cooperation, science, and technology.
Today, cooperation between the institutes of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and Indian partner organizations continues to expand across a wide range of disciplines. The Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics collaborates with Indian institutions in the areas of space science and geophysics, while the Institute of Physics and Technology is developing joint initiatives in information technology, advanced technology, engineering, and laboratory capacity building.
At the same time, the Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology is exploring opportunities for cooperation in nanotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and chemical technology, alongside programs focused on specialist training and the exchange of professional expertise and experience.
In the humanities and social sciences, the Institute of History and Ethnology conducts research on the historical ties between Mongolia and India, including Buddhist and cultural relations. Since 2024, the Institute of International Studies has also been cooperating successfully with India’s Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) in promoting Indian studies and establishing a digital research database.
Furthermore, within the framework of the Indian Government’s ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) and ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) programs, many Mongolian scholars and young researchers have participated in training courses and scholarship programs aimed at enhancing their professional knowledge and skills.
These initiatives continue to make an important contribution to strengthening the human resource foundation for scientific and educational cooperation between Mongolia and India, while further deepening the long-standing friendship and partnership between the two countries.
