Bhutan reaches out to the world: King’s Visit to Mongolia in focus

Densmaa 2024-07-18 11:07

Politics

The King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was on his first State visit to Mongolia at the invitation of President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, from 8-15 July 2024.

     There is no doubt of the significance of the visit on account of the Buddhism connection between the two countries. However, the State Visit should also be contextualised in terms of Bhutan’s new-found outreach to South Asia and to the rest of the world indicating its foreign policy aims to diversify. Thus, the King’s visit along with his family could be seen as a strategic outreach.  

     Notably, both leaders held bilateral talks on 9 July at the State Palace a day after the arrival of the Bhutanese King. The Mongolian President Khurelsukh expressed confidence that the King’s first official trip would further enhance friendly relations. In return, the Bhutanese King expressed his gratitude to the Government and people of Mongolia for their warm welcome and appreciated the stable development of relations and cooperation since establishment of diplomatic relations in 2012. During the state visit the two heads of state held an official meeting and exchanged views on opportunities to expand Mongolia-Bhutan relations and signed cooperation documents to strengthen the legal basis of bilateral relations.

Both the leaders agreed to support the activities of the International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries and formulate development policies for landlocked countries. This makes it clear that the development agenda will dominate the agenda of ties in the near future. It is also one way to further bilateral ties, as both countries prepare a comprehensive roadmap for development of political, economic, educational, cultural, health, scientific, agricultural, and environmental cooperation, as well as the exchange of the peoples.

During discussions, both leaders highlighted the vast potential to expand cooperation in education and culture. To enhance the exchange of peoples, the two Heads of State agreed to leverage their respective tourism advantages and resources by aligning Mongolia’s “Go Mongolia” Campaign, with Bhutan’s “Bhutan Believe” National Brand. Both Heads of State also agreed to work together on global efforts to combat climate change, desertification and protect the environment. Given Bhutan’s deep interest in the environment, both countries additionally agreed to explore the possibility of implementing joint projects under Mongolia’s “One Billion Trees” National Campaign and Bhutan’s The Million Fruit Trees Plantation Project.

King Jigme Wangchuck and other members of the Royal Family have attended the Opening Ceremony of the National Naadam Festival as honoured guests. The Naadam Festival involves the three games of wrestling, archery and horse racing inseparably linked to the nomadic civilization of the Mongols, who have long practiced pastoralism. Additionally, the King of Bhutan visited the Chinggis Khan National Museum of Mongolia and Bogd Khan Palace Museum of Mongolia to learn about Mongolia’s history, culture, and traditions.

Under the radar and unstated is the sharing of the Buddhist bonds between Mongolia and Bhutan. Though Mongolians are followers of the Gelug school and Bhutan follows the Drukpa Kagyu school, the fact remains that Buddhism binds the two countries together and both share a common link in that Buddhism arrived in both nations, at different times of course.

There is scope for a regional consensus between Mongolia and Bhutan premised on Buddhism. This will help promote development partnerships. The State Visit of the King of Bhutan to Mongolia, undoubtedly has as its underpinnings Buddhism. This provides the ideal opportunity to bring together the Buddhist traditions of countries for a conference on a shared Buddhist heritage.