Highlights of His Excellency Mr. Ararat Mirzoyan, Foreign Minister of Armenia’s 52nd Sapru House Lecture on March 10

Report

By Angana Guha Roy 

His Excellency Mr. Ararat Mirzoyan, Foreign Minister of Armenia delivered the 52nd Sapru House Lecture on March 10. Foreign Minister Mirzoyan’s lecture focused on ‘Armenia and India in a Changing World: Strengthening Ties, Securing Future’.

Foreign Minister Mirzoyan began referring to the history that defines the trajectory of India and Armenia's formal diplomatic relations, which dates back to 1992 when India recognized Armenia and established diplomatic ties after its independence from the Soviet Union. During the 1770s and 1780s, Armenian individuals residing in Madras, now known as Chennai, India, undertook the task of drafting a constitution intended for a prospective independent Armenia. This document is regarded as the first written constitution formulated for a future Armenian republic.

The longstanding historical ties cemented into friendship with the signing of a Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation on December 14, 1995, in New Delhi, Foreign Minister Mirzoyan remembered. On March 10, 2025, India and Armenia signed MoUs on diplomat training and medical product regulation, signaling deeper collaboration in governance and healthcare. Foreign Minister Mirzoyan further highlighted the importance Armenia attributes to its MOUs with India including its membership in the International Solar Alliance, co-founded by France and India.

India and Armenia celebrated 30 years of their diplomatic relations in 2022. Agreements on consular relations, regular consultations between foreign ministries, and cooperation in trade, economic, scientific, technological, cultural, and educational fields laid the foundation of their bilateral ties, Foreign Minister Mirzoyan stressed.

Referring to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on collaboration in culture, education, and science signed in 2010, Foreign Minister Mirzoyan spoke about the enormous prospects of India and Armenia relations and the upward trajectory in the bilateral ties.

He further emphasized that Armenia engages in substantial academic collaboration with the Usanas Foundation and various other think tanks. This partnership aims to enhance bilateral relations and strengthen mutual interactions.

India and Armenia share a historically warm and evolving relationship rooted in ancient cultural and trade connections dating back centuries, Foreign Minister Mirzoyan said. Culturally, the two nations have deep historical links. Armenian merchants traded with India as early as the 7th century, establishing communities in cities like Kolkata, Chennai, and Surat. This legacy is visible today in Armenian churches and institutions in India, such as the Armenian College in Kolkata. Foreign Minister Mirzoyan emphasised that sectors like education and culture deserve special attention for fostering bilateral ties.

Over the years trade has grown in sectors like IT, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. India exports meat, pharmaceuticals, and machinery to Armenia. Both nations are exploring connectivity projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which could link India to Europe via Armenia and Iran, enhancing economic cooperation. Foreign Minister Mirzoyan affirmed that Armenia is looking to explore its diplomatic ties beyond traditional partners in the region.

Defense relationship has emerged as a cornerstone of modern India-Armenia ties, Foreign Minister Mirzoyan underlined. Key deals include a $40 million purchase of Swathi weapon-locating radars in 2020 and a $250 million agreement in 2022 for Pinaka rocket launchers, anti-tank munitions, and other equipment—marking India’s first major defense export.

In the wake of its bolstering security dilemma in the region, Armenia is diversifying its security partnerships Foreign Minister Mirzoyan pointed out. Geopolitically, the India- Armenia partnership serves mutual interests. Armenia supports India’s stance on Kashmir, while India has expressed solidarity with Armenia during conflicts with Azerbaijan, such as the 2022 border clashes. The relationship is also shaped by shared democratic values and Armenia’s strategic position in the South Caucasus, offering India a foothold in Eurasia.

 Affirming the positive outcome of high-level exchanges, political consultations, and sessions of inter-government discussion, Foreign Minister Mirzoyan indicated the role of broadening the scope of bilateral ties beyond defense.  Foreign Minister Mirzoyan stressed the importance of starting focused expert dialogues as well as direct flights between Delhi and Yerevan to ensure barrier-free movement of goods and people.

Foreign Minister Mirzoyan simultaneously highlighted the importance Armenia attributes to its regional security and international diplomatic ties amidst emerging geopolitical challenges. Emphasisng on ‘peace is the only way’ Foreign Minister Mirzoyan spoke at length about its disputes with Turkey, and Azerbaijan, and its complex relation with Georgia and Iran. He indicated Armenia’s drive to deepen ties with the EU, Central Asian countries, and China.

Foreign Minister Mirzoyan said that taking into account the emerging realities, Armenia attached great importance in maintaining a balanced foreign policy. Its Crossroads of Peace Project is a manifestation of its progressive, peace drive, inclusive and development-oriented foreign policy.

Disclaimer: This paper is the author's individual scholastic contribution and does not necessarily reflect the organization's viewpoint.