Official representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Armenia, India, and Iran held their first trilateral discussions focussing on enhancing economic and regional cooperation, in Yerevan, on Thursday.
Overview
The delegation was led by Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan, Iranian Assistant of the Foreign Minister Seyed Rasoul Mousavi, and Indian Joint Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs JP Singh.
According to the Armenian MFA, the discussions also focussed on strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties.
The delegation further discussed the International North-South Transport Corridor, which connects India, Iran, and Russia.
First trilateral political consultations btw MFAs of #Armenia, #Iran & #India were held in Yerevan.
— MFA of Armenia🇦🇲 (@MFAofArmenia) April 20, 2023
Sides discussed particularly economic issues & regional communications, outlined prospects of deepening cultural & people to people contacts & trilateral coop in various fields. pic.twitter.com/2BpRsN0GGQ
The officials agreed to continue holding such consultations.
India’s Relations with Armenia, Iran
In September, Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar spoke with his Iranian counterpart H. Amirabdollahian. In recent years, the two countries have held Joint Committee Meetings, Foreign Office Consultations, and Joint Consular Committee meetings.
In February, Iranian Ambassador to New Delhi Iraj Elahi said that India is “most important to Iran,” which, he added, was reaffirmed during President Ebrahim Raisi’s meeting with Indian PM Narendra Modi.
Elahi also celebrated India’s assistance in developing the Chabahar port, which is considered a “Golden Gateway” for trade in the region.
Their economic relations are centred around India’s dependence on Iran for oil.
Video released by Armenian foreign ministry as first India, Armenia & Iran trilat meets in Yerevan. Armenia's delegation led by Deputy FM Mnatsakan Safaryan @M_Safaryan, India by JS PAI JP Singh & Iran by Seyed Rasoul Mousavi @rasmou. https://t.co/9lIO5bDzOD pic.twitter.com/Qr5lfagFC5
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 20, 2023
Meanwhile, India and Armenia celebrated 30 years of diplomatic relations in 2022. Both Asian countries have maintained effective ties bilaterally and on international platforms. EAM S. Jaishankar visited Armenia in October 2021. Meanwhile, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had visited India this March.
In fact, India has been looking to expand its influence in Central Asia. Earlier this month, the first meeting of the India-Central Asia Joint Working Group in Chabahar convened in Mumbai. Among other topics, the Shahid Behesti Terminal infrastructure project and Central Asia’s need to use the Chabahar port were discussed.