Is India trying to sit in the backyard of China?

Asia-Pacific, News May 18, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

According to Indian state-run news agency PTI on May 17 India announced a USD one billion credit line to Mongolia for infrastructure development as they upgraded their ties to “Strategic Partnership” and agreed to deepen defense cooperation besides exploring potential for tie ups in areas like the civil nuclear sector.

The Indian move came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Mongolia, the first ever by an Indian Premier, and his wide- ranging discussions with his Mongolian counterpart Chimed Saikhanbileg and the two leaders pledged to take bilateral economic partnership to a new level.

“I am pleased to announce that India will provide a Line of Credit of USD one billion to support expansion of Mongolia’s economic capacity and infrastructure”.

Modi sounded a clear warning to China when he announced at a joint press interaction with Saikhanbileg at the State Palace during his May 17 visit: “Today, Mongolia is also an integral part of India’s Act East Policy.”

“The destinies of India and Mongolia are closely linked with the future of Asia Pacific region. We can work together to help advance peace, stability and prosperity in this region,” Modi said, pitching for close bilateral ties amid China’s push for increasing its regional influence.

After their talks, the two Prime Ministers signed a joint statement committing to further consolidate bilateral ties and upgrade the comprehensive partnership to “strategic partnership” and agreed to renew their Treaty of Friendly Relations and Cooperation.

The two sides inked 13 other pacts that includes one on enhancing cooperation in border guarding, policing and surveillance, air services, cyber security and new and renewable energy.
The agreements cover economic relations, development partnership, defence and security, and people-to- people contacts.

According to PPA News Agency, India and Mongolia for the first time have decided to elevate their ties to the level of Strategic partnership and it would be considered alarming not only for China but also Russia. PPA added that, the two Prime Ministers stressed the urgent need for reform of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to reflect contemporary realities and make it more representative and effective in dealing with emerging challenges. They underscored that the year 2015, being 70th Anniversary Year of the United Nations, provided a historic opportunity to push for concrete outcomes on the unanimous call for “early reforms” of UNSC.

The two leaders also agreed to continue to work towards further intensifying bilateral defense and security cooperation and encourage development of equal and mutually beneficial trade, investment and economic cooperation.

Earlier, India and Mongolia signed 13 agreements to further strengthen bilateral ties in different sectors. India will establish a Cyber Security Training Centre for Defence Ministry of Mongolia. Indian and Mongolian National Security Council’s will hold regular consultations on traditional and non-traditional security issues, counter terrorism and intelligence cooperation. This was statement was seen by Pakistani officials as a joint attempt to prepare a lobby for India’s quest to become UN Security Council Permanent Member.

Other areas of Indo-Mongolia cooperation that can raise eye-brows in the region include Indo-Mongolia collaboration in the field of Cyber Security and establishment of a Training Centre for Defence Ministry of Mongolia.

Indian and Mongolian National Security Councils would also hold regular consultations on “traditional” and “non-traditional” security issues while boths sides agreed to hold counter terrorism and intelligence co-operation.

PPA/IRIA