TheThird Neighbor Policy is a facet offoreign relations of Mongolia referring to its building relationships with countriesother than theRussian Federation and thePeople's Republic of China,^[1] twosuperpowers that historically had asphere of influence extending to the country. Theeconomy of Mongolia is dependent on exploitation of thecountry's mineral resources, which includecopper,gold,uranium andcoal,^[1] and thus the country is vulnerable to pressure from foreign countries and corporations involved in resource extraction. Countries that have been characterized as "third neighbors" include theUnited States,South Korea,France and otherdeveloped nations.^[2][3]

By establishing strong bilateral ties beyond its immediate neighbors, Mongolia aims to:

• Expand its partnerships with other countries, reducing economic reliance on China, which is the country's largest trading partner.
• Strengthen diplomatic ties with democratic nations to reinforce Mongolia's modern democratic values and institutions.
• Collaborate on defense with strategic "third neighbors" such as the United States and Japan, enhancing Mongolia's security capabilities in the process.^[4]

Country	Relations	Legal basis
United States	Strategic third neighbor partnership	In July 2019, a joint declaration of a strategic partnership was signed during PresidentKhaltmaagiin Battulga's state visit to the United States of America.[5][6]
Japan	Special Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity	Joint statement made during PresidentUkhnaagiin Khürelsükh's state visit to Japan in November 2022.[7] The talks elevated the bilateral ties from a strategic partnership established in 2010 to a 10-year-long "Special Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity".[8]
Germany	Strategic partnership	Joint declaration made during PresidentFrank-Walter Steinmeier's visit to Mongolia in February 2024.[9]
South Korea	Strategic partnership	In September 2025, a declaration was signed during a high-level online summit between PresidentUkhnaagiin Khürelsükh and PresidentMoon Jae-in. Bilateral relations between the two countries advanced from a comprehensive partnership, declared in 2011, to a strategic partnership.[10]
Kazakhstan	Strategic partnership	Joint declaration made during PresidentKassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to Mongolia in October 2024.[11]
Turkey	Strategic partnership	Joint declaration was signed by both presidents during PresidentUkhnaagiin Khürelsükh's state visit toTurkey in January 2025.[12][13]
India	Strategic partnership	A joint statement was made during Prime MinisterNarendra Modi's state visit to Mongolia in May 2015.[14][13]
Italy	Strategic partnership	[13]
France	Strategic partnership*	After a state visit by PresidentEmmanuel Macron in May 2023,[15] a cooperation agreement was signed by Mongolian Foreign MinisterBatmunkhiin Battsetseg and French Foreign MinisterCatherine Colonna in October 2023.[16]
Vietnam	Comprehensive partnership	Joint statement made during PresidentTô Lâm's state visit to Mongolia in October 2024.[17]
Czech Republic	Comprehensive partnership	[13]
Uzbekistan	Comprehensive partnership	A joint declaration was signed during PresidentShavkat Mirziyoyev's visit to Mongolia in June 2025.[18]
Kyrgyz Republic	Comprehensive partnership	Joint declaration was made during PresidentUkhnaagiin Khürelsükh's state visit to theKyrgyz Republic in July 2025.[19][13]
Poland	Comprehensive partnership*	[13]
Canada	Expanded partnership	Joint statement made during PresidentNatsagiin Bagabandi's 7-day visit to Canada in October 2004.[20]
Australia	Expanded partnership	According to a statement made by the Australian Foreign MinisterAlexander Downer during his 2007 state visit.[21]
Source:Office of the President of Mongolia

PresidentKhaltmaagiin Battulga withDonald Trump during a 2019 visit to theWhite House

SecretaryAntony Blinken withPrime MinisterLuvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene during his 2024 state-visit

In mid-March 2018, Mongolian PresidentKhaltmaagiin Battulga appealed to US PresidentDonald Trump viatelegram to more trade relations, saying an economic downturn threatened to destabilize Mongolia, and that although Mongolia is an "oasis of democracy", this "does not contribute to economic development" in a region whereauthoritarianism (China and Russia) in on the rise.^[22][23] The United States is one of Mongolia's Third Neighbors, which Battulga said that U.S. trade and investment could help prevent the return of authoritarianism in Mongolia.

Another development occurred in 2023. Mongolian Prime MinisterLuvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene visitedWashington D.C. on the invitation of US Vice PresidentKamala Harris in August 2023.^[24][25][26]

On the November 30th, 2023, the "Mongolia Third Neighbor Trade Act" was introduced in theU.S. Senate by SenatorDan Sullivan ofAlaska.^[27] The bipartisan act was simultaneously introduced in theHouse of Representatives byVern Buchanan ofFlorida andDina Titus ofNevada.^[28] If approved, Mongolia’s high-qualitycashmere andtextiles could be exported to the United States duty-free.

On May 21, 2023,Emmanuel Macron visited Mongolia, the first ever visit to Mongolia by a French President.^[29]

As of 2019,bilateral trade between France and Mongolia remains limited. In 2017, bilateral trade stood at €26.1 million (€21.8 million of exports from France to Mongolia, against €4.3 million of import from Mongolia to France).^[30][31]

• Mongolia–Russia relations
• China–Mongolia relations

• Foreign relations of Mongolia
• Military of Mongolia
• Economy of Mongolia

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