CULTURAL EXCHANGE B/W INDIA & MONGOLIA
Recently, the Minister of State for Culture discussed various issues under the Cultural Exchange Programme with his Mongolian counterpart.
HIGHLIGHTS OF MEETING HELD
Strengthening the strategic partnership- established in 2015. The Cultural Exchange Program between India and Mongolia stands renewed until 2023. 10 dedicated ICCR scholarships for studying ‘Tibetan Buddhism’ have been allocated for Mongolians to study in specialized institutes of CIBS, Leh and CUTS, Varanasi, starting from 2020-2021. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is an autonomous organisation of the Government of India, involved in India's external cultural relations (cultural diplomacy), through cultural exchange with other countries and their peoples. Tibetan Buddhism combines the essential teachings of Mahayana Buddhism with Tantric and Shamanic, and material from an ancient Tibetan religion called Bon. India reiterated its commitment for digitization of Buddhist manuscripts in Gandan monastery and would consider Mongolia’s request for assistance in setting up a museum-cum-library there. The Ministry of Culture is likely to complete reprinting of about 100 sets of sacred Mongolian Kanjur by 2022 for distribution in the main centers of Buddhism in Mongolia. Mongolian Kanjur is a Buddhist canonical text in 108 volumes and is considered to be the most important religious text in Mongolia. It has been translated from Tibetan and is written in classical mongolian. In the Mongolian language ‘Kanjur’ means ‘Concise Orders’- the words of Lord Buddha in particular. Highlighted steps taken to facilitate the visa and travel of Buddhist monks from Mongolia within India.
INDIA & MONGOLIA BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP
India and Mongolia have interacted through Buddhism throughout history. India was the first country outside the former Soviet bloc of nations to open diplomatic relations with Mongolia in 1955. In 2015, Mongolia witnessed the first ever visit by the Prime Minister of India (a part of India’s Act East policy).
INDIA'S ACT EAST & LOOK EAST POLICY
The ‘Act East Policy’ announced in November, 2014 is the upgrade of the “Look East Policy”. It is a diplomatic initiative to promote economic, strategic and cultural relations with the vast Asia-Pacific region at different levels. It involves intensive and continuous engagement with Southeast Asian countries in the field of connectivity, trade, culture, defence and people-to-people-contact at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels. It's Aim is to promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and developing a strategic relationship with countries in Indo-pacific region with a proactive and pragmatic approach and thereby improving the economic development of the North Eastern Region (NER) which is a gateway to the South East Asia Region.
Look East Policy: In order to recover from the loss of the strategic partner -USSR (end of the Cold war 1991), India sought to build up a relationship with the USA and allies of the USA in Southeast Asia. In this pursuit, former Prime Minister of India P V Narasimha Rao launched Look East policy in 1992, to give a strategic push to India’s engagement with the South-East Asia region, to bolster its standing as a regional power and a counterweight to the strategic influence of the People’s Republic of China.
International Cooperation: Mongolia has publicly reiterated its support for India’s membership to the permanent seat of the expanded United Nations Security Council (UNSC). India has played an important role in getting Mongolia membership to key international forums, including the United Nations (UN), despite strong opposition from China and Taiwan. India also championed the inclusion of Mongolia in the Non-Aligned Movement. In a reciprocal gesture, Mongolia co-sponsored a 1972 UN resolution with India and Bhutan for the recognition of the newly liberated Bangladesh.
Other Forums of which both the countries are members: Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), World Trade Organisation (WTO). India is a member whereas Mongolia is an observer state at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
- Economic Cooperation: India - Mongolia bilateral trade was USD 35.3 million in 2020, down from USD 38.3 million in 2019. India has undertaken the ‘Mongol refinery project’ under its Lines of Credit (LoC) programme.
- Cultural Cooperation between India and Mongolia: The India-Mongolian Agreement on Cultural Cooperation, signed in 1961, has governed the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) between the two countries. The Agreement envisages co-operation in the fields of education by way of scholarships, exchange of experts, participation in conferences, etc.
- Defence Cooperation: Joint defence exercises code-named Nomadic Elephant. India is also an active participant in an annual week-long joint training exercise called the Khaan Quest, hosted by Mongolia.
CONCLUSION
Mongolia’s strategic position at the cross junction of Central Asia, Northeast Asia, far East, China and Russia attracts major powers towards it. India should consider Mongolia as a green zone of economic development that absorbs hi-tech features and production skills in a modernization process. To preserve and promote the common heritage of Indo-Mongolian culture is important. This should serve as the basis for nurturing and pursuing future common interests.
TEST YOURSELF
Q.1 Which of the following Union Ministers recently discussed various issues with Mongolian counterpart in a cultural exchange programme between India & Mongolia?
- Thaawar Chand Gehlot
- Prakash Javadekar
- Prahlad Singh Patel: ANSWER
- None of the above
Q.2 Which of the following given statements is/are correct in the reference to the cultural exchange programme between India & Mongolia?
- The Cultural Exchange Program between India and Mongolia stands renewed until 2025.
- The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is an autonomous organisation of the Government of India, involved in India's external cultural relations (cultural diplomacy), through cultural exchange with other countries and their peoples.
- Only I follows
- Only II follows: ANSWER
- Both I & II follows
- Neither I nor II
Q.3 ____________ is a Buddhist canonical text in 108 volumes and is considered to be the most important religious text in Mongolia?
- Mongolian 'Kanjur': ANSWER
- Mongolia 'Kannur'
- Khanjar
- None of the above
Q.4 Consider the given statements & state which of the following is/are incorrect in the reference to the bilateral relationship b/w India & Mongolia?
- India was the first country outside the former Soviet bloc of nations to open diplomatic relations with Mongolia in 1955.
- India is an active participant in an annual week-long joint training exercise called the 'RANIKHET' hosted by Mongolia: ANSWER
- Mongolia has publicly reiterated its support for India’s membership to the permanent seat of the expanded United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
- All of the above
Q.5 Which of the following statements is/are incorrect in the context of India's Act East policy on which Mongolia has a vital role to play?
- The ‘Act East Policy’ announced in November, 2016 & is the upgrade of the “Look East Policy: ANSWER
- It involves intensive and continuous engagement with Southeast Asian countries in the field of connectivity, trade, culture, defence and people-to-people-contact at bilateral
- It is a diplomatic initiative to promote economic, strategic and cultural relations with the vast Asia-Pacific region at different levels
- None of the above
