A time to rediscover Mongolia

Enkbayar, who was the spirit behind Mongolia8217;s democratic movement launched in the early 1990s in the wake of the Soviet collapse, had chosen India8217;s wisdom as the guiding inspiration for transforming Asia8217;s first Communist state into a democratic and open society with full market economy. Interestingly, Enkbayar skillfully used Buddhism as a factor for re-defining the destiny of post-Communist Mongolia. Mongolia is today cited as a good example of a successful democracy. Even US President Bush did not fail to mention Mongolia in his recent speech on democracy in the post-Cold War era.

The US is rediscovering Mongolia 8212; the geographical pivot of history 8212; as an anchor point for moderating Asian politics. Both Mongolia and the US seek mutual interest in strategically dealing with China. Mongolia looks at the US not as a master but a partner, and is willing to provide Washington with greater strategic influence vis-a-vis China. Washington also sees a significant role for Mongolia in the North Korean crisis. A small contingent of Mongol troops is presently deployed in Iraq along with American forces.

For its part, China is apprehensive about the implications growing Mongol-US proximity might have on its 8220;national minority problem.8221; The US would encourage fostering Mongol ethnic kinship across borders. According to an American assessment, the psychic burden of Chinese occupation weighs more heavily on the Mongols than the Tibetans and Uighurs. A sovereign Mongol state next door would steer nationalism in Inner Mongolia, having a spiraling affect on other ethnic minorities. This is happening at a time when China has replaced Russia as Mongolia8217;s economic partner. Economic analysts suggest that the policies of many western and international agencies have inadvertently facilitated increasing Chinese leverage over Mongolia. It appears that Mongolia8217;s free market policies have benefited Chinese companies to bid for and take over Mongolian economic assets.

After a brief pause in their relationship, Russia has broken the silence about Mongolian security concerns. The two countries have now settled the issue of Mongolian debt on Soviet loans pending since the Soviet breakup. Moscow8217;s decision to write off 98 per cent of over 11 billion roubles debt should be seen in the context of changing strategic complexities in Northeast Asia. Russia has been lukewarm about Mongolia8217;s appeal for the renewal of the earlier security treaty that lapsed after the Soviet demise. Both countries are now seeking to revive active military ties. Russia has also pushed Mongolia8217;s interest in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO. For the first time Mongolia participated as an observer in the SCO8217;s ministerial meeting held in Beijing on January 15.

India has successfully transformed its cultural bonds with Mongolia into a strategic asset. The latest India-Mongolia Joint Statement contains critical points to expand India8217;s vision beyond Southern Asia. The conferring of a D. Litt Honouris Causa to Enkbayar for his role in promoting democracy and Buddhism is a welcome diplomatic gesture. Enkbayar8217;s visit marked a new historical moment when he laid the foundation for the construction of the Mongolian Buddhist Monastery in Bodh Gaya. Equally important is the agreement for cooperation in space science and biotechnology.

Mongolia has much to offer to India, strategically and economically. The agreement signed by the two countries for holding regular consultations at a functional level between the national security councils of India and Mongolia should pave the way for harnessing those assets.