On 13th October 2021, Ararat Mirzoyan, Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, hosted his Indian counterpart, External Affairs Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar for an official visit to the country. Despite the old and growing relationship between the two countries, this was the first time in 30 years history of the Republic of Armenia that the Indian minister of external affairs had visited the nation. There have been other high-level meetings and visits in the past, but EAM Jaishankar became the first Indian Foreign Minister to visit Armenia in a long time. Dr. S. Jaishankar (EAM) also met with the Amenia Minister of Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
EAM S. Jaishankar during the meeting stated that “I was also shocked to find that no Indian Foreign Minister had visited Armenia,” “This was revealed to me when I first met my colleague Ararat Mirzoyan in Dushanbe, and it was a revelation to me. Although what should have happened at the time did not occur, I want to assure you that there is still a great deal of attention being paid to our possible connection now… The current attitude and history of our ties are quite positive, but we must make a tangible effort to advance our relations.”
During the meeting, both ministers agreed to strengthen and enhance trade and cultural exchange to boost the bilateral relations. He emphasized on the finding a peaceful solution Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia under the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s (OSCE) Minsk group. The war has bought major ups and downs in the Caucasus political framework. The changes to settle the above has attracted India’s attention and participation as well. Armenia can help create balance in the region especially with Afghanistan’s turn over and the foundation of a military-political alliance linking Turkey, Azerbaijan and Pakistan. In the recent times Armenia has also announced a road to Iran connecting Iranian ports with Georgian ports via Armenia. This is a major and significant step towards making North-South Transport Corridor a reality. The essence of the meetings and the views on current developments related to the North-South Transport Corridor that were exchanged in Armenia are beginning to emerge as more distinct visions for India’s foreign policy in the future.
