Earlier this year, a trilateral cooperation between India, Iran, and Armenia was established to examine the transport corridor.
India-Azerbaijan: Trade, Investment, Student and Cultural Exchange
“The Indian public sector has made major investments in Azerbaijan, and other parties are eager to expand their partnership with the energy corporation from Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is currently home to a large number of Indian students, particularly in the fields of engineering and medicine. The tourism and cultural exchange between India and Azerbaijan is also expanding”, said Shaw.
Geopolitical Differences to Economic Ties
Geographically speaking, Shaw highlighted that both nations are exploring the International North-South Transport Corridor, along which some recent developments have taken place, including the movement of freight trains which originate in southern Russia and travel through Azerbaijan.
Armenia’s Arms Trade vs Azerbaijan
In his discussion of India's arms trade with Armenia, the ambassador emphasised India’s arms control policy, which effectively states that military hardware should only be sold or transferred to countries with whom it has a strategic partnership.
India has dispatched some minor military equipment to Armenia in that regard. Similarly, if Azerbaijan expresses interest in acquiring specific military equipment from India, then New Delhi will be prepared to supply military hardware to Azerbaijan in the future, provided both nations can maintain their strategic relationship.
Meanwhile, the ambassador asserted that the connection between India and Azerbaijan is based on economics, trade, investment, and people-to-people ties, all of which contribute to the partnership's advancement. In a similar vein, Azerbaijan is vital to the International North-South Transport Corridor and offers Indian exporters a more expedient and cost-effective route than the Suez Canal.