India and Azerbaijan have taken a major step towards repairing their strained relationship. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Baku on Friday, in what is being seen as an important India Azerbaijan diplomatic reset.
The visit came nearly a year after bilateral ties came under strain following Azerbaijan’s criticism of India’s Operation Sindoor and its support for Pakistan’s position on Kashmir. During the latest meetings, both countries focused on moving forward through stronger cooperation in trade, energy, investment, tourism and connectivity.
Jaishankar meets Azerbaijan President
Jaishankar called on President Ilham Aliyev in Baku and conveyed greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the discussions were focused and forward-looking, and appreciated the Azerbaijani President’s positive approach towards improving bilateral relations.
The two leaders reviewed the current state of ties and discussed ways to deepen cooperation. India and Azerbaijan agreed to explore new opportunities in trade, investment, energy, transport and regional connectivity.
Talks with Foreign Minister Bayramov
Later, Jaishankar held detailed talks with Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. Jaishankar described the meeting as very productive and said both sides had worked out a pathway for the future of bilateral relations.
The ministers discussed expanding cooperation in energy, trade, connectivity and security. Jaishankar also raised the issue of cross-border terrorism and common security challenges, reflecting India’s continued concern over terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
Bayramov acknowledged that the two countries had differences on certain issues in recent years. However, he said both sides were now keen to leave past disagreements behind and take the relationship to a higher level.
Focus on trade, energy and connectivity
Azerbaijan highlighted its strategic location as a transit hub between Europe and Asia. The two sides discussed the East-West and North-South transport corridors, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, the Port of Baku and the Alat Free Economic Zone.
These projects could offer India better access to Central Asia, Russia and European markets. Energy cooperation, including oil, gas and renewable energy, was also an important part of the discussions.
Tourism, education, science, culture and cooperation in international organisations such as the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and CICA were also discussed.
Why the reset matters
India-Azerbaijan relations had weakened after Baku backed Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and called for a resolution of the Kashmir issue. The relationship was also affected by Azerbaijan’s close defence and political ties with Pakistan, while India has strong strategic ties with Armenia.
Jaishankar’s visit is the first by an Indian External Affairs Minister to Baku in eight years. It also followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with President Aliyev on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek last month.
The meetings in Baku indicate that both New Delhi and Baku are now willing to focus on practical cooperation rather than past political differences. While sensitive issues remain, the visit marks a clear attempt to rebuild trust and expand the India-Azerbaijan partnership.
