India to benefit from unblocking of South Caucasus routes, says VIF Distinguished Fellow Anil Trigunayat

The unblocking of communication routes in the South Caucasus would be beneficial for India as well, according to leading think tank expert and diplomat Anil Trigunayat.

In an interview with Armenpress during the Orbeli Forum 2025, Anil Trigunayat, Distinguished Fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) — a New Delhi-based think tank — spoke about the prospects of unblocking transport routes in the South Caucasus, as well as the TRIPP project and the Crossroads of Peace initiative.

Trigunayat, India’s former ambassador to Jordan, Libya, and Malta, highlighted the crucial importance of uninterrupted connectivity.

“The opening of communication routes in the South Caucasus region will also be useful and beneficial for India. I really like the idea proposed by the Prime Minister of Armenia — to call these routes the ‘Crossroads of Peace.’ That is a very important concept. Another significant project in the South Caucasus is the North–South International Transport Corridor, of which India is also a founding member. I was personally involved at the very beginning when it was signed.

Trade and transport corridors are not something new — they have existed for centuries. For us, they are extremely important. And if peaceful routes can be created with the investment of all the countries through which they pass, then everything becomes much easier. People strive to achieve peace, and we must work to achieve it,” he said.

Speaking about the U.S.-brokered Armenia–Azerbaijan agreements, Mr. Trigunayat said that the implementation process could take some time, since both countries need time to build mutual trust.

“The implementation of the Washington agreements will depend on the sincerity of both sides. It will not be a fast process — it will be a slow one — because time is needed to overcome mutual suspicions. The role of the media is also important in this matter. Governments must also make every possible effort to combat disinformation campaigns. Therefore, communication, connectivity, and confidence-building measures are extremely important for both sides,” said Anil Trigunayat.

Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a U.S.-brokered joint declaration and initialed a peace agreement on August 8 in Washington, D.C.

TRIPP is a connectivity project in Armenia envisaged under the U.S.-brokered Armenian-Azerbaijani joint declaration. The project is expected to unlock strategic economic opportunities, creating long-term benefits by promoting infrastructure investment and enhancing regional connectivity. TRIPP is part of the Crossroads of Peace project.