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India-Armenia Alliance: A Strategic Lifeline Amid the Iran-Israel Crisis
India’s alliance with Armenia amid Iran-Israel crisis
Context: As tensions between Iran and Israel continue to escalate, India has successfully evacuated 110 stranded Indian students from Iran through Armenia.
Operation Sindhu is an emergency evacuation mission launched by the Government of India in June 2025 to ensure the safety and repatriation of Indian nationals from Iran, amid escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel.
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- The Indian Embassy in Tehran facilitated their safe passage via the Nurduz-Agarak border crossing, with a special evacuation flight scheduled to land in New Delhi early Thursday morning from Yerevan, Armenia’s capital.
How Has the India-Armenia Partnership Evolved?
- India and Armenia share deep historical ties, with Indian settlements in Armenia dating back to 149 BC and Armenian traders active in Mughal-era India.
- Formal diplomatic relations began in 1992, with India opening its Resident Mission in Yerevan in 1999.
- The 30th anniversary of ties in 2022 saw high-level visits, including meetings between PM Modi and Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan at UNGA 2024 and the AI Action Summit 2025.
Why Is Armenia a Crucial Partner for India in This Crisis?
India’s strong strategic partnership with Armenia proved critical during the evacuation. This relationship is grounded in several pillars:
- Defence Cooperation: India has emerged as Armenia’s largest defence supplier, overtaking Russia. A landmark deal in 2022 supplied advanced Indian military hardware, including PINAKA rocket launchers and Akash-1S air defence systems, strengthening Armenia’s capabilities amid its conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.
- Diplomatic Support: Armenia supports India’s positions on key international issues, including backing India’s bilateral resolution approach to Kashmir and endorsing India’s bid for a permanent seat on an expanded UN Security Council.
- Trade and Connectivity: Armenia is a vital node in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which India seeks to develop as a trade route connecting India to Europe via Iran and Armenia, enhancing India’s Eurasian economic footprint.
How Have India and Armenia Developed Their Bilateral Relations?
- Political Exchanges: Several high-level visits have taken place, including Indian Vice Presidents and Armenian Presidents. Recent engagements include meetings between PM Modi and Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan at international forums and the 10th Foreign Office Consultations in 2023.
- Economic Cooperation: Bilateral trade has surged from around $27 million in 2018-19 to over $131 million in 2023-24. India exports pharmaceuticals, diamonds, and bovine meat, while importing gold and medical instruments. Both countries have signed MoUs to boost trade and investment, including in pharmaceuticals and ICT sectors.
- Cultural and Educational Exchanges: Armenia participates in Indian cultural events like the Surajkund Crafts Mela. India has supported Hindi teaching in Armenia and offered ITEC scholarships.
- Development Assistance: India has helped establish ICT infrastructure in Armenia, including a PARAM supercomputer center, and provided humanitarian aid such as medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What Are the Strategic Implications of India-Armenia Relations Amid Regional Tensions?
- India’s alliance with Armenia provides strategic depth amid complex regional dynamics, especially given strained ties with Pakistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan.
- Armenia’s support and its geographic position enable India to maintain a critical foothold in the South Caucasus and West Asia.
- This partnership facilitates India’s evacuation efforts, defence cooperation, and trade ambitions, underscoring the importance of diversified regional alliances and proactive diplomacy in volatile geopolitical environments.
