Abaqa is one in a long line of Mongol rulers who attempt to secure Western cooperation against the Muslim Mamluks.

He had corresponded with Pope Clement IV through 1267-1268, and had reportedly sent a Mongol ambassador in 1268, trying to form a Franco-Mongol alliance between his forces, those of the West, and those of his father-in-law, Emperor Michael VIII.

He has received responses from Rome and from James I of Aragon, though it is unclear if this was what led to James’s unsuccessful expedition to Acre in 1269.

Abaqa is recorded as having written to the Aragonese king, saying that he was going to send his brother Aghai to join it when it arrived in Cilicia.

Ögedei's grandson Kaidu, Batu's grandson Möngke Temür, and Baraq of the Chagatai Khanate had formed an alliance against Kublai Khan and Abaqa in Talas, appointing Kaidu a ruler of Central Asia.

The attempt in 1270 of Baraq Khan of the Chagataids to annex Iran starts a new war against Abaqa in the city of Herat, though Abaqa is able to launch a successful defense.

Abaqa retaliates in 1271 by sending an army against the Chagatai Khanate.

His forces plunder Bukhara and surrounding areas.

There will be small conflicts between Abaqa and Qara'unas under Chagataid noyans until 1280.

Abaqa has also sent embassies to Edward I of England, and in 1274 sends a Mongol delegation to Pope Gregory X at the Second Council of Lyons, where Abaqa's secretary Rychaldus reads a report to the assembly, reminding them of Hulagu's friendliness towards Christians, and assuring them that Abaqa plans to drive the Muslims from Syria.

This diplomatic mission of Abaqa and also two further embassies to Europe in 1276 and 1277 will give no tangible results, however.