Baku, Oct 23: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on Friday, conveying greetings from India’s top leadership and discussing ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
Pic Credit: x.com/DrSJaishankar
During the meeting, Jaishankar conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Aliyev. He later shared details of the interaction in a post on X, expressing appreciation for the Azerbaijani President’s positive approach towards strengthening ties.
The meeting comes as India and Azerbaijan continue diplomatic engagement to review their relationship and explore opportunities for expanded cooperation.
Jaishankar to Hold Talks With Azerbaijani Counterpart
As part of his visit, Jaishankar is scheduled to hold discussions with his Azerbaijani counterpart to review bilateral relations and consider areas of mutual interest.
The talks are expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to assess the current state of engagement and discuss ways to deepen cooperation through continued diplomatic dialogue.
Indian Ambassador Reaffirms Commitment to Stronger Relations
The latest meeting follows the presentation of credentials by India’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Abhay Kumar, to President Aliyev on October 16.
According to the Indian Embassy in Azerbaijan, Kumar reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening and expanding bilateral relations. He also emphasised the importance of closer cooperation and greater understanding between the people of the two countries.
The discussions highlighted longstanding historical and cultural connections between India and Azerbaijan, which both sides view as a foundation for contemporary engagement.
Kumar and Aliyev also referred to the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and the Azerbaijani President in Bishkek, reiterating their commitment to building on existing relations and exploring new avenues for cooperation.
Recent Diplomatic Engagements
Jaishankar’s visit follows a series of recent high-level interactions between India and Azerbaijan.
Last week, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh visited Azerbaijan to attend the seventh summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
Earlier, on September 1, Prime Minister Modi met President Aliyev on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek.
These engagements have provided opportunities for both countries to maintain dialogue and discuss the future direction of their relationship.
Focus on Expanding Bilateral Cooperation
India and Azerbaijan have longstanding historical and cultural links, which continue to serve as a basis for diplomatic engagement. Recent meetings at the ministerial and leadership levels reflect ongoing efforts to maintain communication and identify opportunities for closer cooperation.
Jaishankar’s meeting with Aliyev marks another step in these diplomatic efforts. Further progress will depend on the discussions between the two countries and the initiatives they pursue to translate diplomatic engagement into concrete areas of collaboration.