The recent visit by the Dalai Lama to a far-reaching nation of Mongolia has brought a new jigsaw puzzle in Mongolia-China relations.
Mongolia, a sparsely populated landlocked state is sandwiched between China to the south and Russia to the north. Prior to independence Mongolia and China had very complicated relations. Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan conquered all of China and established the Yuan dynasty in 1279. Similarly, in 1368 Chinese under the Ming Dynasty expelled the Mongols from China and successfully strengthened the Great Wall to ward off the Mongolians from raiding into China.
It was only after the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911 that the Republic of China was established and Mongolia declared its independence. Thereafter the communications between Mongolia and China have dramatically increased and more significantly after the end of the cold war. The 1994 treaty on ‘Friendly Relations and Cooperation’ made China a major trade, economic and strategic partner of Mongolia in a sense for a simple reason.
First, the economy of one nation is always conditioned by the development and expansion of its relations with other economies for carrying out its economic activities and since Mongolia is a geographically landlocked region sandwiched between China and Russia it was applied that Mongols will heavily depend on China’s economy that has grown substantially since the introduction of the economic reforms in 1979. Second, due to China’s rampant industrialization and urbanization it wants to access its control over the available natural resources such as coal, gold, and copper of Mongolia that are found in abundance. In this regard China has expanded its investments in Mongolia’s mining industries, giving it access to the country’s natural resources. Indeed, these reasons personify China- Mongolia relations from a mere “strategic partnership” to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.”
However, the recent visit by the Dalai Lama to Mongolia has brought a new cleavage in the bilateral relations. The Dalai Lama, Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, made a four-day religious trip to predominantly Buddhist Mongolia despite China’s objection. Beijing regards the Dalai Lama as a separatist and a ‘wolf in the monk’s robe’ who seeks to alienate Chinese-controlled Tibet from Beijing. Despite repeated warning, Ulaanbaatar ignored the warning and hosted Dalai Lama’s arrival just like in the past. He visited monasteries, preached his blessing and attended the international conference on Buddhist Science.
Beijing’s repercussion to the visit was anticipated. China imposed a new fee on commodity shipments between the two countries at Gashuun Sukhait, a major border crossing between China and Mongolia. Furthermore, it canceled all the bilateral interaction with Mongolia and postponed the bilateral meeting that was seen as crucial for Mongolia to access badly-needed Chinese loans and developmental projects as Mongolia mired in an economic recession was seeking emergency loans from bilateral partners and international institutions.
The effect has brought into play a new dynamic with India, which has deepened its tie with Mongolia, particularly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in 2015.
India signaled that it may step up to help Mongolia amid its alienation from China. India’s spokesperson for Ministry of External Affairs, Vikas Swarup added that India is “ready to work with the Mongolian people in this time of their difficulty.” This comment comes in line with Mongolia’s ambassador in India, Gonchig Ganbold who sought India’s assistance in helping Ulaanbataar out of its current problems with China.
This will bring a new discourse to India’s larger geo-strategic game in Asia viz-a-viz China particularly when Beijing is making expensive initiatives, such as the ‘One Belt, One Road’ (OBOR), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and the BRICS Bank in order to strengthen infrastructure, both on the westward land route from China through Central Asia and on the southerly maritime routes from China through Southeast Asia and on to South Asia, Africa, and Europe.
India should keep in mind that Mongolia has pursued a ‘third neighbor’ policy in order to deepen its ties with countries beyond its real neighbors — China and Russia. In this regard, India must take the full potential of its initiative and also be very careful in updating its policy relations, particularly when it is not an audacious attempt to substitute and replace China in its own neighborhood. More importantly, India should also know that deepening its tie with far-reaching nations, including Mongolia, will sharply deteriorate its close tie with China in the larger geo-strategic game.
There is a propaganda campaign going on to create tension between Outer Mongolia and China. Every one especially the Dalai Lama should not participate in this campaign. The Dalai Lama with all respect does not speak for Buddhism and all Buddhists.
Indians are unable to run their own country properly how are they going to help china.During the rule of Iran till 17th century it was run quite well the eco system of birth to death for all communities in a very pluralistic manner.The Muslim shia will have his costume,mosque & then sunni will have his stuffs,the upper castes had their own set up,the dalits had their own set ups,the orthodox xtian had his setup & also parsis etc etc.There was amity………the congress government as agents of the British/American did a surgical strike changing this thing both in India,Pakistan everywhere………whereas for china this type of social construct suited them in all asian countries.I doubt mongols,viets,arabs or chinese will be keen on India as they will say all 3 of you India,Pakistan & Bangladesh will be in nuke ashes in 1-2 years.
No one is creating propaganda……..
What nonsense you are blurting out! As Indians we have had the longest period of prosperity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_history_of_India and we aspire to achieve that again. Your predilection for Persian rulers could stem from your origins/hometown, however, for most Indians it is not. Your wishful thinking of nuke ashes in the South Asian subcontinent is utter bogwash. India is the origin of many religions including Buddhism. Most of the population in India are Hindus and many of them also practice Buddhism. Most of Mongolia is buddhist, so I’m glad the Govt. of India has decided to help Mongolia in their hour of need. Just to enlighten you a bit more, before the arrival of Turks, the Hindu empire extended from Afghanistan (Hindukush mountains) to Cambodia (Angkor Wat). So, most Indians support the initiatives take by the current goverment to reconnect with people across the world that have a shared bond, like Balochistan, Sindh, Gilgit/Baltistan in Pakistan, or Afghanistan, etc.
Hmmm, isn’t propaganda one of the pillars of communism? Let’s assume you are right that India is running this propaganda, but for what? Didn’t you know Buddhism originated in India? But, let’s still go with your assumption, then why is Vietnam complaining about China with whom it has skirmishes on the South China Sea? Let’s still go with you assumption that India has somehow influenced Vietnam, but then what about Phillipines, or Indonesia or Japan? I hope you see the fallacy of your argument.
His Holiness The Dalai Lama is a spiritual leader of the world and if his visit to Mongolia rattles China, it exposes the insecurities of the CCP. The politburo should be more concerned about it’s karma (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma) as not supporting India on declaring Pakistan based terrorist masterminds and not allowing India to join NSG group would only expedite their demise. Most Indians support the government’s move of helping Mongolia overcome the hardship that the Chinese have imposed due to the recent visit of His Holiness The Dalai Lama.
Lachit Borphukan I had been to 6 countries A) China B) Egypt C) Australia D) Democratic chinese singapore E) Thailand F) 4 states of India.
If you ask me to rank them which are the greatest civilization i will say A) China B) Egypt C) Thailand D) India E) Australia F ) Singapore.I come from a insignificant tribe which has no influence in world affairs but that is my rating.
Lachit Borphukan, Nope – Buddhism originated in Nepal, same goes with Hinduism, Jainism and actual Indian Civilizations, they migrated from Central Asia – Turkey which has the oldest religion site in the Middle East, Central Asia and Sub Continent.
Ref to Gobekli Tepe site in Turkey.
Sure we have China Merging as Asian Big Brothers who need to take care of little one and should be behaviour like one as well, especially in the South China Sea, but for a long term, it will be the regional partnerships.
For a Sub Continent – they’re using a Forced assimilation if you are not aware of it, Why – To gain into Asian Markets, whilst Asian doesn’t want them.
For me being an Asian Mix race living in Newly Created country Bangladesh is a hell, and this country is newly created by Indian and Bangladesh, and it is a Tibetan-Burman Land,
Therefore – Another side of the arguments is, we would rather see China or Japan or Asian Neighbours come in divide Bangladesh into Half and Let the Asian work it out by themself.
Dividing Bangledsh – Asian on One Side of the River and Indian on another side, all Asian together with our North East, Nepal, and Bhutan.
For Tibet issue – Tibetan are much better off with under China care rather than Indian running around to Rape. Tibetan and Dalai Lama should have a Regional meeting to conclude the thinking, North East,Nepal and Bangladesh issue should be include
If India wants to resolve into they own affair – Pakistan and Bangladesh should remerge into One for the Benefit no more Kashmir Dispute or Bangladeshi poor which are not going to go away.
For China
Intrapreneur skill is needed with your own Asian people whom are looking up to you.
Robert Latimour For your edification, please read https://sites.google.com/site/1ancientcivilizationsforkids/home.
The demography of the North East India has considerably changed mostly due to influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh that the locals are now minority in many of the districts. The good news is that there is a movement to do some correction as was done in the past https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lachit_Borphukan.
You being an ignoramus about Tibet is appalling as the immolations by the monks doesn’t move you and the settlement of 7mil+ Han Chinese in Tibet is ok in your world https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinicization_of_Tibet. Indians who practice Hinduism/Buddhism/Jainism have historical connection with Tibet https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Manasarovar.
Vijay Raghavan I respect your rating and from your views they do align well.
@Ken, it is Mongolia that made the request to India, because the true colors of China’s imperial expansionism are there for all to see. Mangolia is unfortunately bound by geography and, China is trying to subjugate it.
If His Holiness Dalai Lama visits a country as a Buddhist monk, what is it that matters to China? He is a religious leader.
The fact is CHina is in ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF TIBET….AND IT IS SCARED AS HELL OF H.H. DALAI LAMA…
FREE TIBET, CHINA GET OUT OF TIBET
Dalai Lama is a clown created by western powers in global political circus to harrass China. India is playing its geo-political games as excellently as it plays in Olympic Games.
Uyghur and Tibetan people’s plight in China and Baloch people’s plight in Pakistan will bring chaos in those countries as Karma would settle the scores, Ahem!
Lachit Borphukan Okay, go back to your temple to pray, everything will be going your way.
Vijay Raghavan where are u from ???
Lachit Borphukan,
Nope – Buddhism was originated in Nepal, same goes with Hinduism, Jainism and actual Indian Civilizations, they migrated from Central Asia – Turkey has the oldest religion site in the Middle East, Central Asia and Sub Continent.
Ref to Gobekli Tepe site in Turkey.
Assam is Swamp by the Indian and you do know it’s a Asian Tribals Land.
Sure we have China Merging as Asian Big Brothers who need to take care of little one and should be behaviour like one as well, especially in the South China Sea, but for a long term, it will be the regional partnerships.
For a Sub Continent – they’re using a Forced assimilation if you are not aware of it, Why – To gain into Asian Markets, whilst Asian doesn’t want them.
For me being an Asian Mix race living in Newly Created country Bangladesh is a hell, and this country is newly created by Indian and Bangladesh, and it is a Tibetan-Burman Land,
Therefore – Another side of the arguments is, we would rather see China or Japan or Asian Neighbours come in divide Bangladesh into Half and Let the Asian work it out by themself.
Dividing Bangledsh – Asian on One Side of the River and Indian on another side, all Asian together with our North East, Nepal, and Bhutan.
For Tibet issue – Tibetan are much safer, better off with under China care rather than Indian running around to Rape. Tibetan and Dalai Lama should have a Regional meeting to conclude the thinking, North East,Nepal and Bangladesh issue should be include at all time.
If India wants to resolve into they own affair – Pakistan and Bangladesh should remerge into One for the Benefit no more Kashmir Dispute or Bangladeshi poor which are not going to go away.
For China
Intrapreneur skill is needed with your own Asian people whom are looking up to you
Lachit Borphukan, You got a Fake Profile – A Indian, But why.
Mongolia is great! Did not suppress religion for political reasons. Even if I a country with just one person, I would welcome His Wholiness for a visit! Some countries in the world are quite a shame: they fear China without any reason and reject a religious leader for beneficial visits.
It was the Mongolian Emperor who name Dalai Lama for the first time during the thirteenth century. Why modern Mongolia betray this?
Dalai Lama’s visit to Mongolia is like one visiting his second hometown!
What’s wrong with this with any country in the world?
Every country has her own suvereign right which ought not be pepetrated by another country, however large and powerful it could be!
Financial and economic reason is not worthy of consideration.