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Trust is the driving force behind the steadily deepening relationship between India and Armenia, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. Speaking in New Delhi to NEWS.am, CivilNet and Armenpress the spokesperson elaborated on bilateral ties and outlined India’s perspective on regional and strategic cooperation.
India–Armenia relations are becoming stronger
Pointing to a series of high-level visits since the start of the year, the spokesperson said ties between India and Armenia have been gaining momentum across political, economic and cultural spheres.
“Each day India–Armenia relations are becoming stronger. Many exchanges of delegations are happening at the political level, at the level of trade, economy, culture, etc. And that is happening because we have a lot of comfort in our ties. We are very comfortable with each other. We have trust in our relationship. And that is what is driving this partnership, this friendship. We want to strengthen these ties further and we support Armenia in several ways. We have strong bilateral ties, strong political ties and very strong defense relations now and we want to see your country prospering further.” he said.
A bond rooted in history and people
Describing India’s approach to Armenia as rooted in history and people-to-people ties, the spokesperson highlighted the depth of engagement between the two countries.
“We have a historical sense of your country and of your people because what binds us together is centuries and millennia of engagement and interaction that we have had. I would like to recount one story: when one of your leaders came here for the first time after your country gained independence, as he came down the stairs of the aircraft, he kissed the earth. He said, ‘This land has been so special to us.’ Now we reciprocate the same sentiment. The Armenia–India friendship is very special. We look at it from a very cultural, strong, people-to-people perspective. There is a historical depth to this relationship, and that is what makes it so special,’’ he said.
Defence cooperation
Referring to the strengthening defence cooperation between India and Armenia, the spokesperson said the partnership reflects India’s expanding capabilities and its broader approach to defence engagement.
“India has so much to offer today to Armenia and to the world when it comes to defence engagement. What you are seeing in India-Armenia relations today is part of that strength. Our defence expertise has expanded significantly across the world, and many countries are interested in what we have to offer. We are developing cutting-edge platforms and engaging with countries so that they can also benefit from what we are doing.”
India highlights importance of regional connectivity
India has invested in Iran’s Chabahar port as part of its efforts to expand regional connectivity and trade routes linking South Asia with Iran, the South Caucasus and onward to Europe. The port is seen as a key gateway for accessing regional markets. For India, the port also provides an alternative connectivity route amid decades-long political tensions with Pakistan, which have limited overland trade and transit options.
Connectivity projects, the spokesperson said, remain central to India’s broader economic and regional engagement.
“Connectivity projects are very important for us, whether it is the Chabahar port or the North–South Transport Corridor, or several other connectivity projects that we are pushing in different parts of the world. Connectivity brings prosperity, and prosperity brings happiness among people. More prosperity, more progress - that is our message. Through connectivity projects, we want to drive economic growth, enhance export and import linkages, and enable the movement of goods and services, technology, and prosperity in general,” he said.
Asked about Armenia’s role in the International North–South Transport Corridor, the spokesperson described the initiative as a multilateral project intended to benefit all participating countries.
“The North–South corridor is important. I do not have the granular details of specific engagements, but I would say this corridor is an international project, and every country must participate because it is for the good of everybody. It is for the global good.”
Turkey–Azerbaijan–Pakistan cooperation and its implications for India
Turkey, Azerbaijan and Pakistan have in recent years expanded military and political cooperation, reshaping regional security dynamics.
Asked how India assesses these alignments and their implications for regional engagement, the spokesperson said New Delhi remains focused on strengthening its own position and working closely with partners.
“We want to strengthen our position. There are countries that want to come together to undermine certain interests. Obviously, we will try to engage with our partners and see how best we can handle those challenges.”
India follows Armenia–Azerbaijan developments closely
India is closely monitoring developments involving Armenia and Azerbaijan, the spokesperson said, stressing New Delhi’s intention to further strengthen ties with Yerevan.
“We follow these developments very closely because our shared ties with Armenia are warm ties. We want to strengthen our ties further, and we want to be supportive of Armenia,” he said.
Gayane Aleksanyan, New Delhi
