Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on October 23 to explore ways to enhance bilateral relations between India and Azerbaijan. This meeting was a key part of Jaishankar’s official visit to Azerbaijan, which aimed to review and potentially expand the cooperation between the two nations.
During their discussions, Jaishankar conveyed greetings from Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, acknowledging Aliyev’s positive stance towards strengthening ties. This meeting followed a series of diplomatic engagements between India and Azerbaijan, underscoring a continued commitment to fostering mutual interests.
Earlier in the month, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh attended the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) summit in Baku, where he emphasized India’s dedication to regional stability and cooperation, while advocating for collective measures against cross-border terrorism.
Additionally, the diplomatic rapport was highlighted on October 16, when India’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Abhay Kumar, presented his credentials to President Aliyev, reiterating New Delhi’s resolve to deepen bilateral relations. The momentum of diplomatic efforts was also evident when Prime Minister Modi met President Aliyev during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on September 1.
The series of high-level meetings and diplomatic exchanges reflect a strategic engagement as both countries seek to strengthen their partnership, focusing on shared interests and regional cooperation.