Jaishankar Reviews Progress Of India-Assisted Mongol Oil Refinery Project

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, accompanied by Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh and Industry and Mining Minister Gongor Damdinnyam, visited the construction site of the India-assisted Mongol Oil Refinery Project on Tuesday and reviewed progress on the landmark initiative.

Jaishankar noted that the project, regarded as a symbol of India-Mongolia friendship, is making steady progress.

During the visit, Jaishankar assessed the status of works under implementation and interacted with Indian and Mongolian workers at the site, thanking them for their dedication to executing the project under challenging conditions.

The Mongol Oil Refinery Project is being implemented with support from a USD 1.7 billion Line of Credit extended by the Government of India and is a key component of Mongolia’s sustainable energy strategy.

Mongolia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said local authorities and officials of Mongol Oil Refinery LLC welcomed the delegation.

Executive Director D Altantsetseg briefed the visiting leaders on the project’s progress, stating that refinery equipment, parts and steel structures have already arrived at the site and assembly work is underway.

Components of the main facility, including the distillation tower, reached the site in May, and assembly has commenced.

The Ministry said construction of the more than 520-km crude oil pipeline has reached nearly 90 per cent completion.

During the visit, Jaishankar expressed satisfaction at witnessing the progress firsthand and reiterated India’s commitment to ensuring the successful completion of the project within the planned timeframe.

Jaishankar is on a two-day official visit to Mongolia, during which he held talks with Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh and met President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh. He also met Speaker Dashzegve Amarbayasgalan, Education Minister L Enkh-Amgalan and former President Nambaryn Enkhbayar to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

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