Armenia-India cooperation continues to develop dynamically - FM Mirzoyan

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan delivered a speech at the Indian Council on World Affairs (ICWA) at the start of his official visit to New Delhi. Mirzoyan highlighted the dynamics and prospects of Armenia-India relations, emphasizing their multifaceted cooperation and continued development.

"It is an honor to address this esteemed audience — a platform renowned for its sharp analysis and forward-thinking discussions that significantly contribute to international dialogues. I am grateful for the opportunity to exchange views with you on matters of mutual importance, as we explore the vast potential in further strengthening the strategic ties between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of India.

India was among the first countries to recognize the independence of Armenia in 1991. Only 4 years later we signed the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation between our countries, and this year we already mark the 30th anniversary of this important document. This is both symbolic and important momentum to take stock of what has been achieved and work jointly towards more ambitious projects. 

Of course, the relationship between our nations extends far beyond these 34 years. Although separated by geographical distance, Armenia has always regarded India as a close partner — a nation with which we share deep civilizational bonds and a long history of amicable relations. 

Historically, our peoples have been intertwined long before modern nation-states emerged. In the early modern period, Armenian merchants in India pioneered cross-border trade and cultural exchanges. Remarkably, constitutional ideas sit at the foundation of our centuries-old friendship. In 1773, Armenian intellectuals in India drafted “Vorogayt Parats,” our first constitution, while in 1794, an Armenian priest in Madras published “Azdarar” — the first Armenian periodical in the world. These initiatives became a unique conduit for the exchange of enlightenment ideas between our peoples.

The preservation of cultural heritage and diversity remains central to both our nations. Institutions such as the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy in Kolkata and historic churches and other historical sights across India stand as living testaments to the Armenian communities on Indian soil. Their preservation under the protective auspices of the Government of India not only underscores our mutual respect but also exemplifies our shared commitment to safeguarding cultural identity for future generations.

I would also like to highlight the unique reproductions of the Ajanta murals by renowned Armenian artist Sarkis Katchadourian, who made an invaluable contribution to rediscovering ancient Indian art for the contemporary world. Currently housed at the National Gallery of Armenia, these works represent the centuries-old cultural and spiritual bond between our peoples and remind us that art and culture are the true bridges of diplomacy.

Today, Armenia and India enjoy multifaceted cooperation that continues to evolve dynamically. The comprehensive deepening of our partnership with India constitutes a foreign policy priority for Armenia, and we view these relations from a long-term perspective. The past few years have witnessed a significant upward trajectory in our relations. I should definitely underline here that this has been possible with the personal contribution and strong dedication of my dear friend and counterpart, Dr. Jaishankar. Through joint efforts and resolute commitment, we have achieved very concrete results across numerous spheres of mutual interest, including economy, security and defense, information technologies, education, and culture.

Our collaboration and intense political dialogue has flourished through exchanges of visits and various cooperation mechanisms, including political consultations between our foreign ministries and sessions of the Intergovernmental Commission. 

Our bilateral defence and security cooperation continues to expand. We welcome the first consultations held between our Defence Ministries and believe that the appointment of resident Military Attachés represents another valuable asset in developing deeper cooperation in this vital field.

While economic activity is growing, it has not yet reached desired levels. We aim to substantially increase bilateral trade volumes in the coming years, focusing our efforts on facilitating Armenian companies to establish business connections with India. This ambition formed the core of discussions during the last Intergovernmental Commission session in Yerevan, and as the Chair of the Armenian side, I am committed to prioritizing these activities by fostering institutional engagement and intensifying B2G and B2B interactions. I think our expert communities might contribute to this effort by more insightful analysis and recommendations that could bring our businesses closer.  

Removing barriers to the free movement of people, goods, and services is a prerequisite for addressing the structural constraints of landlocked developing countries and promoting global market integration. Enhanced connectivity is crucial to this end. Armenia is deeply interested in advancing dialogue and cooperation within the International North-South Transport Corridor project and the Chabahar port development initiative. In this regard, the Armenia-India-Iran trilateral cooperation format is of great significance, and I’m pleased that we’ve already initiated this mechanism and started engaging in practical discussions on the issue. 

Armenia and India can establish mutually beneficial cooperation across every sphere. High-tech, IT, education, science, tourism, aviation, logistics and pharmaceuticals stand out as particularly promising areas for partnership.

• Tourism represents an important collaboration field that brings not only economic benefits but promotes mobility and people-to-people contacts, fostering mutual understanding. We are actively working toward establishing direct flights between Yerevan and Delhi.
• Collaboration in spheres such as green energy, offers exciting prospects by leveraging Armenian potential and Indian expertise. In 2024, Armenia became a member of the International Solar Alliance, a joint initiative of India and France, opening new avenues for cooperation.
• In 2023, Armenia and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding on sharing successful digital solutions for population-scale digital transformation. During my current visit, we are planning to sign a document on cooperation in the field of medical products regulation. 

As you can see, ongoing discussions across all these directions are materializing into practical agreements and new opportunities for our governments and business communities. You will see additional documents signed after today's meeting with Minister Jaishankar. 

Armenia actively cooperates with India in international fora, as our countries share similar approaches to many issues of regional and global significance. We both firmly commit to international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter, while sharing the view that UN reform is necessary — through expansion, improved working methods, and strengthened prevention and early response mechanisms -  enhance its efficiency, representativeness, and legitimacy in addressing evolving global challenges.

The humanitarian dimension of our partnership, encompassing educational and cultural aspects, deserves special emphasis. Approximately 3,000 Indian students study in Armenia, primarily in medical specializations, and we are exploring opportunities to enhance and expand student exchange programs.

We have successfully fostered academic collaboration with prominent think tanks, including the Observer Research Foundation, Vivekananda International Foundation, and Usanas Foundation. Platforms like the Raisina Dialogue, where Armenia frequently and broadly participates, offer invaluable opportunities to strengthen interactions with Indian partners. Similarly, the ORF and Indian officials and expert community actively engaged in our initiative, the Yerevan Dialogue, launched last year. I cordially invite you to join and follow this year's edition, scheduled for May 26-27," Mirzoyan said.