India Mongolia Diplomatic Relations

A Unique Spiritual and Strategic Relationship

For most Mongolians, India is seen not only as a friend, but as a “spiritual neighbour”, a ‘third neighbour’, a strategic partner, and a respected centre of pilgrimage. In recent years, the relationship has grown around 4 key pillars, known as the 4 Ds:
Dharma (shared spiritual heritage), Democracy, Development Partnership, and Digital Development Cooperation.
The strong India–Mongolia bond is rooted in a long-standing shared heritage of Buddhism.

Historical and Cultural Connections

There are interesting traditional beliefs linking the two cultures. One such legend says that 4300 years ago, tribes from the Kangra Kingdom (in present-day Himachal Pradesh) migrated to Mongolia with Mangaldev, son of the Kangra ruler. It is believed that most of them returned to India after nearly 2000 years, though there is no proven historical evidence for this.

In 1924, Mongolian Prime Minister A. Amar, in his writings, suggested that the ancestors of Mongolians might have come from the Himalayas.

Another example of cultural connection is ‘Ganga Nuur’ Lake in Mongolia. According to popular belief, its name is linked to India’s sacred Ganga River. It is said that Mongolian lamas brought water from the Ganga and poured it into the lake in Sukhbaatar Province, giving it the name.

Spread of Buddhism: A Bridge Between the Two Nations

Buddhism is the strongest cultural link between India and Mongolia. It is believed that Buddhism travelled to Mongolia through Tibet and the Himalayan region. During the Hunnu State and later during the Great Mongol Empire, Buddhist monks and Indian traders journeyed to Mongolia, strengthening these ties.

• In 552 BC, Lama Narendrayash from Udayana (Northern India) visited the Nirun State with other monks.
• Mongolia regarded India as the land of Buddha, and many Mongolian monks and students travelled to Nalanda University, the ancient world-renowned centre of Buddhist learning.

Between the 5th and 7th centuries AD, the exchange of knowledge and teachings brought Mongolia and India into close contact. Buddhism helped spread Indian culture across Mongolian lands. Mongolian intellectual and spiritual development was deeply shaped by Mahayana Buddhism, the philosophy of Acharya Nagarjuna, and his important Buddhist texts.

Although Mongolian Buddhism belongs mainly to the Yellow Hat (Gelug) School, similar to Tibet and China, over time it blended with Mongolia’s traditional beliefs like Tengarism and Shamanistic practices, creating a unique Mongolian form of Buddhism.

Modern Era Relations

In the past few decades, India–Mongolia relations have grown stronger with frequent high-level visits and cooperation. A key contributor to the cultural revival was 19th Bakula Rinpoche, India’s Ambassador to Mongolia from 1990 to 2000. He played a major role in reviving Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia and helped establish the respected Pethub Monastery in Ulaanbaatar.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were formally established on 24 December 1955. The first Mongolian Ambassador arrived in New Delhi in January 1956. India opened its Resident Embassy in Ulaanbaatar on 22 February 1971 (before this, the Ambassador in Moscow was also accredited to Mongolia).

In 2020, both countries celebrated the 65th Anniversary of diplomatic relations, and a special commemorative stamp was released by Mongol Post in the presence of India’s External Affairs Minister.

Philatelic Tribute

India Post proudly issues a Joint Postage Stamp to mark the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between India and Mongolia — a celebration of friendship based on shared spirituality, culture, and mutual respect.