Last week, the Indian government made an important announcement regarding its military ties with various countries, including Armenia. In recent years, the diplomatic relations between Armenia and India had been strained, especially after the visit of the Indian Defense Minister to Yerevan in October 2021, which highlighted the close relationship between the two countries. This was reported by Firstpost.

Analysts believe that the recent improvement in relations between India and Armenia is a strategic move by India to counter Russian influence in the South Caucasus region. Previously, Russia relied on Armenia for its support in the region, but due to its conflicts with Ukraine, Russia is now facing several challenges and does not seem to have any tensions concerning Armenia and Azerbaijan.

During the 2023 Karabakh war, Russia tried to balance the situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan by pressuring Armenia to maintain regional stability. It is estimated that in order to secure its future, Armenia has the opportunity to play a role in the military and security sectors in the North Caucasus, including having its military and strategic assets present. Russia does not oppose India playing a role in the South Caucasus.

Furthermore, Armenia is seeking India to act as a guarantor of security for its political leadership, particularly in relation to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Armenia wants India to replace Russia as its military ally in the region. Until recently, Russia was the main ally supporting Armenia against Azerbaijan. This shift would also have a significant impact on Armenia’s defense production, which currently amounts to nearly $10 million.

The convergence of military resources with two neighboring countries is of great strategic and military importance for Armenia. If this alliance is established, it would provide India with the shortest and safest alternative route to Europe, bypassing Azerbaijan and passing through Iran, Armenia, Georgia, and Russia.

The Armenian-Indian alliance is intriguing. Armenia wants India to play the role of defender against its rival, Azerbaijan, while India aims to secure its military and security interests in the region. For India, Armenia serves as a gateway to strengthening its partnership in the Persian Gulf, ensuring a steady supply of petroleum and technical resources, as well as being a key ally in the construction of the Zangezur corridor. The Zangezur corridor is vital for Armenia’s security, as it connects the country with Iran and Russia.

If the corridor is established, it will determine the border between Iran and Armenia, effectively closing the shortest alternative route of the international North-South transport corridor. It is important to understand why Armenia prefers India to join this project instead of Azerbaijan. Firstly, Armenia wants to ensure the transfer of military and technical resources from the corridor to Armenia. Secondly, it seeks to eliminate the logistics coordination between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan, with strong support from Turkey in terms of finances and defense technologies, is expanding its presence in the South Caucasus region. The aim is to unite all Turkic peoples in the area and connect the “Adriatic Sea to the Adriatic Baltic Sea” through their common Turkic relations concept. It is known that Pakistan supports and assists Azerbaijani activities against Armenia.

The Armenia-India relations are strengthened by the fierce rivalry between Armenia’s traditional rival, Azerbaijan, and the main rival of India’s allies, Pakistan. Armenia’s active presence would only weaken India’s endeavors in the South Caucasus.

This news has been reported by NEWS.am, providing updates on Armenia.