President arrives in Mongolia on three-day visit

Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), Jul 27: President Pratibha Patil today (Jul 27) arrived here on a three-day visit aimed at enhancing bilateral ties and seeking cooperation in new fields like science and technology, defence, mining and human resource development among others.

Patil is the first Indian President to visit Mongolia after a gap of 23 years. During her stay here, she will also meet President Ts Elbedorj and women politicos.

Patil was given a grand welcome by Mongolian authorities and young girls dressed in traditional attire came especially to honour her at Chingis Khan International Airport here.

The President will also meet business leaders besides meeting people of Indian origin. She will stay in Ulaanbaatar till July 29 before flying back to Delhi the next day. Mongolia is spread in 1.565 million square km and has a population of about 2.7 million according to 2010 estimate.

About 92 per cent of the population in the country follows Buddhism. The country shares its border with China and Russia and has a GDP of USD 6.6 billion.

India and Mongolia are good trade partners. India exports pharma products, veterinary medicines, automobiles and its parts here and the bilateral trade has touched USD 16.9 million.

Mongolia has established free trade zones on its border points with China and Russia and is pursuing the policy of attracting foreign investments and considered as Most Favoured Nation (MFN).

PTI