ArmInfo. It is important for India to have a presence in Armenia for a kind of counteraction to the developing relations between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Pakistan. A similar opinion is expressed in the analytical publication published on the Rybar telegram channel regarding the military-technical cooperation between Armenia and India.
The publication draws attention to the fact that in early December several secret meetings were held in Armenia between the Indian delegation and the Armenian authorities.
"The main topic of the talks was military-technical cooperation between the countries: joint exercises, mutual training of military personnel, as well as the supply and joint production of weapons.
At the meetings, the agreements concluded earlier in October during the visit of Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan to New Delhi were consolidated," the source notes, recalling that at that time the Armenian leadership purchased the Indian multi-barrel Pinaka launchers, Konkurs-M, anti- tank guided missiles and 80-mm mortars. According to the source, In addition, the issue of the purchase of Indian Akash air defence systems and Indian-made kamikaze drones are at the final stage.
It is noted that the initiator of the rapprochement between the two countries was the former Indian Ambassador to Yerevan, Yogeshwar Sangvan, who established good contacts with the local government during his work in Armenia.
At the same time, it is stated that the cooperation between India and Armenia has deepened significantly in recent years within the framework of the implementation of interstate economic projects and the general geopolitical situation.
"Firstly, it is important for India to have a presence in Armenia for a kind of counteraction to the developing relations between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Pakistan.
The Turks actively finance and invest in the Pakistani economy. And in the Kashmir issue, both Turkey and Azerbaijan have always supported Pakistan. At the same time, the authorities in Islamabad are on the side of the Azerbaijanis in disagreements over Nagorno-Karabakh.
The provision of assistance to Armenia and the preservation of its statehood will allow, to some extent, to balance forces in the South Caucasus, especially against the backdrop of Russia's diversion towards Ukrainian developments," the analyst says.
Secondly, according to the author of the publication, the Indian authorities, together with the Iranian authorities, are interested in establishing an international transport corridor (ITC)- "Persian Gulf - Black Sea", which will connect India and Iran with Europe through Armenia.
On October 21, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, after a meeting with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan, announced the establishment of a "Iran-Armenia-India" trilateral platform for the implementation of the corridor.
Current trade routes to Europe go either through the Suez Canal or through countries with which India has complex relationships, including China, Pakistan and unstable Afghanistan.
In this vein, it is emphasized that the ITC through Iran, Armenia and Georgia will reduce the time of delivery of goods to Europe and dependence on the Chinese "Silk Road", weaken the influence of the Turks and neutralize the threat posed by the possible laying of the so-called Zangezur corridor.
"The Indian authorities are increasing their presence in the Transcaucasus. For Armenia, cooperation with the official New Delhi will solve the important issue of rearming the armed forces and will give rise to the prospect of establishing a profitable economic corridor.
In the context of growing tension in the region and the desire of the Turks and Azerbaijanis to quickly resolve the issue with Artsakh to form a land corridor from China to Europe through Azerbaijan and Turkey, the unification of India and Iran looks like the most logical and mutually beneficial option to counter Turkic influence," the author of the publication summed up