India, Armenia discuss to boost trade, connectivity

Minister of external affaies Gr, S Jaishankae is the first Indian foreign minister to visit Armenia since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. During a meeting with his counter part,both the countries discussed the possibility of using Iran’s Chabahar port to enhance connectivity between the India and Armenia to boost trade and commerce. In a tweet on Wednesday, he said, “Minister Mirzoyan and I discussed the interest which Armenia has shown in the utilisation of the Chabahar port in Iran, which is being developed by India,” he told a media briefing in Yerevan.

Recognised our shared interests in strengthening connectivity, including the International North South Transport corridor.

Briefed each other on our respective regional developments. India supports the OSCE Minsk process.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 13, 2021

India and Armenia are members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which has the potential to bridge the connectivity barrier between the two sides, and Armenia’s interest in using Chabahar port figured in Jaishankar’s talks with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan,adding the two sides also discussed the possibility of direct flights under an air services agreement.Jaishankar reiterated India’s consistent position regarding the peaceful resolution of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan through diplomatic means. He also expressed India’s support for resolving the dispute under the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and for the trilateral ceasefire mechanism brokered by Russia in November 2020..