India, Azerbaijan Reset Ties After Operation Sindoor
India and Azerbaijan have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations following diplomatic tensions over Baku’s support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor in 2025. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Azerbaijan on Friday, October 23, 2026, holding talks with President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on trade, energy, connectivity and regional security.
Jaishankar’s Azerbaijan Visit Signals Diplomatic Reset
Jaishankar’s visit marked the first by an Indian foreign minister to Azerbaijan in eight years and followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Aliyev at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.
Relations had deteriorated following Azerbaijan’s support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, while India’s defence cooperation with Armenia contributed to diplomatic differences.
Bayramov acknowledged that disagreements had affected bilateral relations but expressed interest in expanding cooperation.
India and Azerbaijan Expand Trade and Energy Cooperation
The foreign ministers agreed to strengthen collaboration in oil, energy, investment and bilateral trade.
Both countries also discussed improving air connectivity and coordinating more closely on the International North-South Transport Corridor, a transport network linking India with Eurasian markets.
Jaishankar proposed expanding Azerbaijani participation in India’s Technical and Economic Cooperation programme.
He also thanked Azerbaijan for assisting Indian nationals, particularly students evacuated from Iran during earlier regional hostilities.
India Welcomes Azerbaijan-Armenia Peace Agreement
Jaishankar welcomed the August 2026 peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, expressing hope that it would establish lasting regional stability.
The ministers discussed terrorism, international security and conflicts affecting Europe, West Asia and Eurasia.
India reiterated its support for resolving international disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.
Jaishankar also invited Bayramov to visit India as both governments seek to rebuild diplomatic engagement and develop practical economic partnerships.
