From Periphery to Partnership: Mongolia’s Intensifying Foreign Policy Trends Toward Central Asia

Abstract

Mongolia’s foreign policy has traditionally emphasized balance among its neighbors and “third neighbors”, yet its relations with Central Asian states remained limited for decades after diplomatic ties were first established in the early 1990s. In recent years, however, Mongolia has intensified engagement with Central Asian states, reflected in new embassies, high-level visits, and the elevation of ties to strategic partnerships. This study analyzes the drivers and implications of this shift. Using a constructivist perspective complemented by liberal international relations theory, the research combines historical review, document and speech analysis, and comparative case studies of Mongolia’s ties with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan. Findings show that Mongolia’s reinvigorated approach is motivated not only by strategic and economic considerations but also by cultural proximity and shared regional identity. The study argues that Mongolia is moving from a peripheral observer to an active partner in Central Asia, positioning itself as a like-minded actor in regional cooperation. By identifying the factors enabling this transformation, the paper contributes to broader debates on small-state diplomacy and regionalization in Eurasia.