India to help Mongolia in modernizing weapons and tactics

New Delhi, Dec 19 (PTI) India today assured all help to Mongolia in increasing its capabilities in areas of special operations, cyber security and weapons and tactics as a delegation of the east-central Asian country's border guarding force met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh here. The Home Minister told the visiting delegation, led by Brigadier General of the General Authority on Border Protection (GABP) Lkhachinjav, that India and Mongolia need increased cooperation for "effective prevention and detection" of crime with the growth of global terrorism, trans-national crimes like drug trafficking, smuggling of illegal arms and ammunition. India's cooperation with Mongolia assumes significance as both the countries share their borders with China and have deployed their respective border guarding forces to man the unfenced frontiers. Singh, during his meeting with the delegation at his North block office, assured all possible help to GABP like assistance in capacity building "in the areas of special operations, cyber security, computers and IT, weapons and tactics, bomb disposal, disaster management among others" adding that India can train GABP officers in these areas. He said that both GABP and their Indian counterparts-- Border Security Force-- work in similar terrains and face similar challenges and both the forces can learn from the best practices in border management. A Home Ministry statement quoted the Minister as saying that both nations can help each other in better management of borders through exchange of technology, equipment and methodology of border management. Singh expressed desire that there is a need for joint exercises between GABP and BSF in operational, training and technology exchange. Singh added that India has always shared strong historical, cultural and spiritual ties with Mongolia and the diplomatic relations with the country are almost 60 years-old. PTI