IndiaPosted at: Oct 24 2026 12:03AM


EAM in Baku in first stand-alone visit; Meets Azerbaijan President Aliyev, holds 'very productive' talks with FM Bayramov

Baku/New Delhi, Oct 23 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who is visiting Azerbaijan in the first stand-alone bilateral visit by an Indian foreign minister to the country in eight years, called on Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev in Baku today and also held talks with his counterpart FM Jeyhun Bayramov, which he said were "very productive" and have helped to determine a pathway forward for the bilateral ties.
Marking a reset in ties with Baku, which were earlier strained over Azerbaijan's pro-Pakistan stance and references to Kashmir as well as India's closeness to Armenia, EAM Jaishankar welcomed the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia reached in August last year, and hoped that it would lead to the establishment of a durable peace.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek earlier this year, a move that has helped ameliorate the bilateral tensions and pave the way for both sides to move forward in the relationship.
EAM's visit also comes as Azerbaijan is prioritizing the “Central Asian Community” (CAC) over the Turkish-led “Organization of Turkic States” (OTS), and is looking at India to give the CAC a major push with New Delhi's keenness on connectivity via the International North-South Transport Corridor.
Jaishankar, in his address, said the two sides had spoken about connectivity, because that is so important in a globalised economy. "We are both invested in the International North-South Transport Corridor. That’s very important for us. We agreed today that we will coordinate more closely in that regard. Air connectivity is also something that we value. There are daily flights, but obviously to deepen the relations we have to think about how to grow that further."
The two sides discussed the opportunities offered by Azerbaijan’s East–West and North–South corridors, including the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway, the Port of Baku and the Alat Free Economic Zone.
For India, Azerbaijan is a gateway to the Caspian, Central Asia and Europe. For Azerbaijan, India is a market of 1.4 billion people and an important part of its effort to diversify partnerships toward Asia.
In the joint press conference, FM Jeyhun Bayramov mentioned their difficult past relations. He said the differences had “affected bilateral relations and cooperation within international organizations,” and added: “Today, we discussed these issues openly and constructively."
Despite Pakistan's closness to Azerbaijan, especially during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, Baku according to observers is said to be worried by Pakistan’s latest proxy war on Afghanistan, which could have a destabilizing effect on Central Asia, and by extension on the Central Asian Community (CAC), of which Azerbaijan has become a new member.
In his statement, following the meeting with FM Bayramov, EAM Jaishankar said, “We have, of course, been carefully monitoring developments in this region...India has a very clear position that disputes should be settled through dialogue and diplomacy”.
“And in that context, of course, our discussions covered the Middle East, West Asia for us, Europe, Eurasia…We have a common interest in really promoting peace and progress and prosperity. And threats like terrorism, conflict and instability are our common enemies."
Jaishankar said India and Azerbaijan are both independent-minded nations who make their own call on important issues of the day.
He said the discussions were focused and forward looking and they exchanged views on various aspects of the bilateral relationship.
He also said that India and Azerbaijan have a long history of cultural and people to people exchanges. He added that both nations respect each others values and that provides a good foundation to work towards a more contemporary partnership.
Jaishankar said the two countries can raise their relations to a higher level.
Bilateral trade reached about $600 million in the first half of this year, compared to $401 million recorded in 2025.
More than 1,000 Indian companies are registered in Azerbaijan. ONGC Videsh has invested over $1.2 billion and holds stakes of 2.925% in the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli fields and 3.097% in the BTC pipeline.
Indian companies remain interested in Azerbaijan’s oil and gas sector, and both sides see potential in pharmaceuticals, digital services and mining. The ministers agreed to bring their business communities together.
UNI RN
Tags: #EAM in Baku in first stand-alone visit; Meets Azerbaijan President Aliyev# holds 'very productive' talks with FM Bayramov
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