Pallam Raju in Mongolia

New Delhi, May 4 (UNI) Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju today met Mongolian Defence Minister M Sonompil in Ulaanbaatar and discussed matters of mutual interest and defence cooperation.

According to reports received here, Minister Raju -- on a two-day official visit to Mongolia -- is slated to call on Mongolian President Natsagiyn Bagabandi tomorrow.

Minister Raju arrived in Ulaanbaatar earlier today from Seoul at the end of a three-day official visit to South Korea where he held discussions on bilateral cooperation and joint collaboration in the defence field.

India and Mongolia share many common values and traditions and the age-old friendship between the two countries has been reinforced in recent years with India's active participation in Mongolia's reconstruction effort. Bilateral defence relations were cemented with the visit of former Mongolian Minister of Defence Ts Sharavdorj to India in December last when he witnessed the second India - Mongolia joint military exercises.

India has responded positively to the invitation by Mongolia to participate in the multi-lateral military exercise 'Khanquest-06' to be held in Mongolia this year in autumn.

UNI DG MSJ DS1636