BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 24. Broad
opportunities for cooperation are opening up in Azerbaijan-India
relations, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.
According to him, the reception of Minister of External Affairs
of India, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, by the President of Azerbaijan
Ilham Aliyev marks a significant development in the positive
trajectory of relations between Baku and Delhi.
"The visit of India's Minister of External Affairs to our
country, his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, and his
discussions with Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov
demonstrate that there are new opportunities to expand the dialogue
between the two nations and foster cooperation in areas of mutual
interest.
Azerbaijan has consistently shown its readiness for constructive
dialogue, mutual respect, and cooperation that serves the interests
of both sides, an approach that can also serve as the foundation
for relations with India. The continuation of high-level contacts,
the holding of political consultations, and the expansion of
economic ties all contribute to the further development of existing
relations," the analyst said.
Garayev pointed out that one of the factors connecting
Azerbaijan and India is their rich historical and cultural
heritage.
"Both countries are representatives of ancient civilizations,
and their cultural ties have a long history. This shared past
creates a favorable foundation for the development of mutual
interest and cultural connections between the two peoples. In the
modern era, this potential can be further expanded through tourism,
education, science, and humanitarian exchanges," he remarked.
According to him, another significant factor bringing our
countries closer is the existence of shared interests within
international cooperation platforms.
"As part of the Global South, Azerbaijan and India have the
opportunity to exchange views on various issues on the
international agenda and to develop mutually beneficial
cooperation. The UN, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Conference on
Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), and
other multilateral platforms are significant in this regard.
Expanding dialogue within the framework of international
organizations can also have a positive impact on the political and
economic dimensions of bilateral relations," Garayev mentioned.
The analyst emphasized that economic cooperation is one of the
most promising areas for the development of these relations.
"The interest shown by Indian companies in Azerbaijan's energy
sector, their participation in oil and gas projects, and the
available investment opportunities demonstrate the real potential
for cooperation in this area. The presence of Indian companies
already investing in Azerbaijan further confirms that there is
scope for expanding economic ties. Promoting mutual investment,
increasing trade turnover, and establishing direct links between
business communities could prove beneficial for both nations.
India's achievements in the fields of technology and digital
infrastructure also represent an area of potential cooperation for
Azerbaijan. The exchange of expertise in digital services,
information technology, innovation, and high-tech sectors could
pave the way for the implementation of new projects. Furthermore,
expanding cooperation in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and
agriculture would help diversify economic relations," he noted.
Garayev highlighted that transport and tourism also deserve
special attention.
"Azerbaijan’s strategic position within the East-West and
North-South transport corridors creates additional advantages for
the development of economic ties with India. Our country’s
transport and logistics infrastructure offers significant
opportunities for Indian companies to access regional markets.
Furthermore, the development of direct air links can contribute to
a growth in tourist travel, the intensification of business
contacts, and the strengthening of ties between the two
peoples.
India’s significant standing in international politics and the
global economy makes the development of relations with Azerbaijan
important for both sides. Complementing the existing political
dialogue with cooperation in the economic, technological, cultural,
and humanitarian spheres could help broaden the scope of these
relations. Recent engagements indicate that a foundation exists for
continuing a dialogue based on mutual interests between Baku and
Delhi, as well as for exploring new avenues for cooperation," the
analyst added.
