Modi’s visit to Mongolia was supposed to be a message to China, especially with respect to its involvement in Sri Lanka and the Indian Ocean region. It was meant to convey that India could interfere in China’s backyard as well.

In November 2016, the Dalai Lama visited Mongolia for the ninth time. China made its unhappiness known to Mongolia, which ignored the country’s warnings, buffered by its perceived support from India. But this time, China put in place an economic blockade that crippled Mongolia and when it turned to India for help, it received nothing more than appeasing words.