In a move to enhance bilateral ties, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on October 23. The discussions centered on strengthening the relationship between India and Azerbaijan and exploring avenues for expanded cooperation.
During the meeting, Jaishankar conveyed greetings from Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing India’s appreciation for President Aliyev’s positive stance towards bilateral relations. This visit is part of a series of diplomatic engagements aimed at fostering closer ties between the two nations.
Jaishankar’s visit to Azerbaijan included talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart, focusing on reviewing the current state of bilateral relations and identifying opportunities for further collaboration. This diplomatic engagement follows a recent visit by India’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Abhay Kumar, who reaffirmed New Delhi’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties when he presented his credentials to President Aliyev on October 16.
Earlier in October, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, participated in the seventh summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) held in Baku. Singh emphasized India’s dedication to peace, cooperation, and regional stability, while also calling for joint efforts against cross-border terrorism.
The ongoing diplomatic dialogue between India and Azerbaijan underscores the commitment of both countries to work together on shared interests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with President Aliyev on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on September 1 further highlights the sustained efforts to strengthen their partnership.