Strong political relations between India and Mongolia must be complemented by robust ties of trade, economy and investment, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said today.
Mahajan, leading an Indian Parliamentary delegation here to attend a meeting of the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP), also appealed to the top leadership and business community here to seize opportunities arising out of India's economic rise.
She said that India and Mongolia share common values and understanding on a range of issues.
Mahajan called on Mongolian President Ts. Elbegdorj during which she recalled that both India and Mongolia enjoy deep and warm relationship and that there is an imperative need to further strengthening and diversifying this relationship.
Earlier, she met Mongolian Prime Minister Saikhanbileg and discussed matters of mutual interest.
She also held a meeting with her counterpart Z Enkhbold, the Chairman of the Great Hural (Mongolian Parliament), in the Government Palace and shared views on a host of issues.
Observing that common values and understanding between the countries have laid the ground for constructive engagement across several sectors, she opined that strong political relations must be complemented by ties of trade, economy and investment.
Later, at a banquet hosted by Enkhbold, Mahajan noted that India and Mongolia have interacted since time immemorial.
"Following the emergence of Mongolia as a modern nation state in the 20th century, the two countries have continued to build relations based on the shared historical and cultural legacy, especially of Buddhism. India also supported Mongolia for membership in the United Nations and to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
"As befits spiritual neighbours, civilisational friends and fellow democracies, today we are also strategic partners," she said.
Mahajan also informed her counterpart that Parliament of India would be happy to share its expertise in strengthening democratic institutions and parliamentary processes to Mongolia.
Lok Sabha MPs Rajendra Agrawal and Heena Vijay Kumar Gavit of BJP, Dr Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena) and Butta Renuka (YSR Congress) are part of the delegation along with Rajya Sabha MPs Shantaram Naik (Congress) and K C Tyagi (JD-U) for the six-day visit beginning April 17.
ASEP, a parliamentary forum, is linked to the inter- governmental dialogue that has been established between Europe and Asia to consider political, economic and cultural issues.
The Asia-Europe meeting is part of the overall Asia- Europe partnership process. It serves as a forum for building inter-parliamentary contacts, exchanges and diplomacy and promoting mutual understanding among the people and countries of Asia and Europe.
