Top US diplomat in Mongolia to strengthen ties

Secretary of State Blinken arrived in Mongolia on Thursday at the end of a 10-day tour of Asia.

The United States intends to cultivate closer ties there, including "people-to-people" exchanges, and maintain a "comprehensive strategic dialogue" with Mongolia. Mongolian Foreign Minister was in Washington last week to meet Blinken and launched the strategic dialogue.

Before departing for Washington, Blinken is scheduled to attend a "Naadam" festival, a celebration of Mongolia's nomadic traditions that includes athletes, often in traditional garb, taking part in wrestling, archery and horse racing.