Bangladesh, March 29 -- Earlier this month, Gantumur Luvsannyam, Mongolias first deputy prime minister, said that negotiations over the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline were proceeding and making progress. This is a major gas pipeline connecting China and Russia, which, if completed, can deliver (through Mongolia) 50 billion cubic metres of Russian natural gas to China yearly – gas that Russia previously supplied to Europe.

There has long been speculation that the project had stalled amid geopolitical complications, and the actual status of this project remains clear despite Luvsannyams statement. In any case, this reminds one of the complex Russian-Mongolian relationship. For instance, amid the repercussions of this announcement, Mongo...