Democracy, dharma and development: India and Mongolia as partners and spiritual neighbours

Background

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, receiving the President of Mongolia at Makar Dwar in Parliament, said India-Mongolia ties rest on the principles of democracy, dharma and development, the three Ds.
He said the partnership has wide scope in defence, health, information technology and economic cooperation.
President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa described India as Mongolia's spiritual neighbour and a great friend, and spoke of India as a fast-growing economy that contributes to global peace and stability.
Birla cited the Buddha's mantra Bahujan Hitaya Bahujan Sukhaya and pointed to the Dharma Chakra above the Speaker's Chair as a symbol of dharma-based governance.
He recalled his own visit to Mongolia, when the two Parliaments signed a memorandum of understanding on parliamentary cooperation.
The meeting was held in the year the two countries marked the seventieth anniversary of diplomatic relations.