ArmInfo. Comprehensive development of friendly relations with India is among Armenia's foreign policy priorities, Armenia's Deputy FM Mnatsakan Safaryan stated at the international conference entitled "Armenia-India: New Incentives for Millennial relations".
The conference has been organized by Armenia's foreign office to mark the 30th anniversary of Armenian- Indian diplomatic relations. Mr Safaryan expressed confidence that new fields for cooperation will be outlined.
"Our bilateral relations have dynamically been developing for the last 30 years. Comprehensive development of relations with India is among Armenia's foreign policy priorities. It is gratifying to see that India's viable democracy and developing economy is making essential progress in various fields, which contributes to its international image," Mr Safaryan said.
Yerevan and Delhi are actively cooperation in the international arena.
"However, despite the above, I am sure that we have serious unrealized potential for developing our trade and economic relations, making use of investment opportunities and intensifying people's contacts. Armenia could well take advantage of India's progress in improving its defense capacity and developing its economy. With the trade routes rapidly changing and international commercial opportunities, we need to think of developing our export and import potential in the southern direction," Mr Safaryan said.
In his turn, Mr Sanjay Verma of India's foreign office stated that the conference is a good opportunity for developing the bilateral ties.
India is going to chair the G20 from this December, he said.
Mr Verman reported that about 5,000 Indian students are studying in Armenia's higher schools.
However, it is not enough, he said, calling on Armenia's government to facilitate cooperation. Mr Verma pointed out serious potential for trade and economic cooperation, and Armenia could stimulate Indian investments in its economy, the official said.
The conference, which has been organized by Armenia's foreign office in coordination with the Institute pf Oriental Studies, includes four thematic platforms:
"Historical connections: centuries-long cooperation"
"Armenia and India in the framework of global and regional developments."
"Flexible friendship in changing geopolitics. Armenia-India bilateral relations."
"Prospects of multidimensional bilateral cooperation."