As the largest economy in the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan has increasingly deepened its strategic partnerships with Türkiye and Pakistan, creating a geopolitical bloc that contrasts sharply with Armenia’s alliances. Amid its ongoing conflict with Armenia, Azerbaijan reportedly signaled interest in purchasing Indian weapons via a third country, aiming to balance the regional arms dynamics. However, India chose not to entertain the request, emphasizing its sovereign decision-making in bilateral relations. This information was reported by the Indian media platform ThePrint.
According to informed sources, Azerbaijan did not approach New Delhi directly but instead used a friendly intermediary to propose a potential arms trade agreement. The intermediary indicated that Baku was willing to match the scale of India’s current arms deals with Armenia, highlighting Azerbaijan’s interest in becoming a long-term defense partner.
India, however, clarified to the intermediary that it would not engage in defense negotiations through third-party nations. New Delhi asserted its autonomy in determining bilateral priorities and partnerships, choosing to maintain its strategic alignment with Armenia.
Armenia’s Defense Ties with India
In recent years, Armenia has significantly expanded its defense collaboration with India, acquiring a range of advanced weaponry, including rocket launchers, artillery guns, sniper rifles, anti-tank missiles, and ammunition. Yerevan is also exploring the procurement of Astra missiles to strengthen its Sukhoi Su-30 fleet, demonstrating its trust in Indian-made defense technology.
Beyond military collaboration, Armenia holds political importance for India. The two countries share a strong diplomatic rapport, bolstered by Armenia’s consistent support for India’s stance on Jammu and Kashmir. Furthermore, Armenia’s close ties with France and Greece align with India’s broader strategic interests in the region.
Greece, another Indian ally, is reportedly considering transferring obsolete Russian military equipment to Armenia to enhance its defense capabilities. This potential cooperation highlights an emerging regional axis involving India, France, Greece, and Armenia, collectively supporting Armenia’s security and sovereignty.
Azerbaijan’s Regional Alliances
In contrast, Azerbaijan’s growing trilateral cooperation with Türkiye and Pakistan has solidified its position in a different geopolitical grouping. Since 2017, the three nations have strengthened ties through joint military exercises and strategic dialogues. At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in July 2023, Azerbaijan reiterated its support for Pakistan’s stance on Jammu and Kashmir, further distancing itself from India’s geopolitical alignment.
The Armenia-Azerbaijan rivalry remains deeply rooted in the territorial dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh. Following the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh declared independence, creating the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh, which has never been internationally recognized.
The two nations fought two wars over the region, with Azerbaijan leveraging advanced Turkish drones and loitering munitions during the 2020 conflict. In September 2023, Baku regained control of Nagorno-Karabakh through a swift military operation, effectively concluding the territorial dispute in its favor.
Strategic Implications for India
India’s decision to ignore Azerbaijan’s indirect overtures underscores its commitment to Armenia as a key defense and political partner. By supporting Armenia’s security capabilities and strengthening regional cooperation with allies like France and Greece, India is asserting its strategic priorities in the South Caucasus.
Conversely, Azerbaijan’s alignment with Türkiye and Pakistan highlights the competing blocs shaping the region’s geopolitical landscape. As the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict continues to influence alliances, India’s role as a major defense exporter and strategic player remains pivotal.
