Mongolian PM thanks India for facilitating construction of strategic oil refinery project
Ulaanbaatar, Aug 11
Mongolian Prime Minister N Uchral visited the oil refinery project site in Dornogovi province and thanked the government of India for facilitating construction of the strategic project, the Indian Embassy in Mongolia stated on Tuesday.
According to the Embassy, Uchral visited the refinery project construction site on Monday. He was accompanied by Mongolia's Road and Transport Minister B Delgersaikhan, Finance Minister Z Mendsaikhan, Dornogovi Governor O Batjargal and senior officials of the government.
He was welcomed at the site by Atul Malhari Gotsurve, Ambassador of India to Mongolia and D Altantsetseg, CEO of the Mongol Refinery.
"During the visit, HE Mr Uchral thanked the Government of India for facilitating the construction of the strategic Oil Refinery Project in Mongolia. He appreciated the contribution of the 3,700 Indian workforce comprising engineers and Workers, who are working at the Project site," the Embassy posted on X.
The Mongolian leader stated that the country will take all the necessary measures to complete the refinery construction at the earliest. He announced to give the status of Technological Industrial Park to the Oil Refinery Project.
"Till date 60 per cent of the construction is completed. The EPC-I (work package I) of the Refinery was commissioned with the active intervention of HE Mr Uchral who was then the Chief of the Cabinet in November 2024. The construction of EPC-II, III and IV is progressing well," noted the Embassy.
The Mongol oil refinery project, being implemented with the support of a USD 1.7 billion Line of Credit (LoC) extended by the government of India, stands as a flagship initiative and a vital component of Mongolia's sustainable energy strategy.
Last month, former President of Mongolia, Nambaryn Enkhbayar, appreciated the progress of the construction of the oil refinery project.
He visited the oil refinery project construction site at Dornogovi and interacted with the engineers and workforce of 'Engineers India', 'Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd' and Mongol refinery.
He also mentioned that the project will further expand the India-Mongolia bilateral ties and ensure sustainable energy supplies to Mongolia.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is exactly the kind of strategic diplomacy India should be doing more of. A $1.7 billion line of credit for Mongolia's energy security will create long-term goodwill. Unlike China's debt-trap diplomacy, we're genuinely helping.
Wish Indian projects back home progressed at this pace! 😄 But yes, this is great for bilateral ties. Mongolia is strategically located between Russia and China, so having good relations there is smart geopolitics.
As someone working in energy policy, I've been following this project closely. Mongolia has huge oil reserves but zero refining capacity. This project will transform their energy independence. India's line of credit is a win-win.
The fact that a former Mongolian president and now PM both visited the site shows how much they value India's support. This kind of goodwill can't be bought. But I hope we're following up on completing the project on schedule.
While I appreciate India's assistance, why are we giving $1.7 billion lines of credit to other countries when our own infrastructure needs attention? Shouldn't we first fix our domestic challenges? 🤔
Interesting to see India's growing presence in Mongolia. The refinery will have a major
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