India, Iran, Armenia aim to balance Pakistan-Azerbaijan-Turkey axis
India, Iran and Armenia has the potential to balance the Pakistan-Azerbaijan-Turkey axis, which has gained momentum with several engagements between Islamabad and Baku this year.
The first India-Iran-Armenia trilateral aims to connect Armenia with India via Iran, ET has learnt.
During a meeting in the Armenian capital Yerevan this April, the three sides discussed economic projects and regional communication channels, outlined the prospects of deepening cultural and people-to-people contacts as well as trilateral cooperation in various fields.
The three countries had then decided to «continue consultations» in the format, sources recalled. The trilateral meeting also discussed the use of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) as a regional connectivity initiative.
Armenia, whose ties with New Delhi are acquiring strategic dimensions, has proposed the Persian Gulf-Black Sea corridor via Iran parallel to INSTC or part of a new branch of INSTC to connect Indian traders with Russia and Europe, sources said.
Given the extensive experience of Indian companies in taking part in large-scale infrastructure projects abroad and India's interest in launching the India-Europe transport corridor route via Iran and Georgia, Armenia plans to start negotiations with India to discuss the involvement of Indian funding and Indian companies into the project.
Armenia has recorded strong economic growth notwithstanding the war in the region. It is no secret that Iran and Armenia share century-old ties including strong business and political contacts.
Pakistan, which is facing an energy crisis, is also expanding its energy ties with Azerbaijan, which is rich in oil and natural gas resources.
