India-Mongolia to deepen cooperation in minerals, coal & steel sectors

New Delhi, Jan 9 (KNN) Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel Dharmendra Pradhan, interacted with H.E Mr. L. Oyun-Erdene, MP, Minister and Chief Cabinet Secretary of Mongolia and Co-Chair of the India-Mongolia Joint Committee on Cooperation and H.E G. Yondon, Minister of Mines and Heavy Industry through video conference on Friday.

Bilateral cooperation in hydrocarbons and steel sectors were comprehensively reviewed in the meetings. Pradhan conveyed deep appreciation to H.E Oyun-Erdene and H.E Yondon for their support in facilitating approvals for expeditious implementation of the green field Mongol Refinery Project, built under a Line of Credit from Government of India.

He also appreciated their commitment in setting up a pipeline to transport crude to the refinery being built in Sainshand. He also sought their cooperation in completing this pipeline well before the commissioning of the Refinery project.

Pradhan also welcomed the keenness of Mongolian companies in supplying coking coal to Indian steel industry and agreed to advance cooperation for mutual benefit. “We look forward to substantial partnerships with Mongolian companies in the areas of minerals, coal and steel”, he added.

The Minister, on behalf of Government of India, reiterated India’s commitment to timely completion of the Mongol Refinery Project, the country’s 1st oil refinery. He expressed willingness to further share India’s expertise in oil and gas sector including capacity building in accordance with the developmental priorities of Mongolia.