World · South & Central Asia · 6 hrs ago
India and Azerbaijan agree to deepen ties after diplomatic strain
India’s foreign minister S. Jaishankar met Azerbaijan’s president and foreign minister in Baku on October 23, 2026, to discuss relations between the two countries.
The visit was the first bilateral trip to Azerbaijan by an Indian foreign minister in eight years.
Ties had been strained after Azerbaijan opposed India’s 2025 strikes against Pakistan-based targets, while India has defence ties with Armenia.
Jaishankar and Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov agreed to build cooperation in areas including energy, trade, investment and tourism.
They also agreed to strengthen connectivity, including closer coordination on the International North-South Transport Corridor.
Jaishankar welcomed progress on a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia and said disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
The two sides plan more political consultations, exchanges and economic activity as they work to put relations on a stronger footing.
India and Azerbaijan agreed to deepen political and economic ties during Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Baku.
Jaishankar met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on October 23, 2026.
The sides discussed trade, investment, energy, tourism, connectivity and closer political consultations.
The visit came after relations deteriorated over Azerbaijan’s opposition to India’s 2025 Operation Sindoor strikes against Pakistan.
Jaishankar also welcomed progress toward a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
- Who
- Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.
- What
- The two countries agreed to deepen ties and expand cooperation in areas including trade, investment, energy and connectivity.
- When
- October 23, 2026.
- Where
- Baku, Azerbaijan.
- Why
- The meetings were part of efforts to reset relations after diplomatic strain over Operation Sindoor and other differences.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Azerbaijan for a Non-Aligned Movement ministerial meeting.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry condemned Indian strikes against Pakistan-based targets.
Jaishankar met Aliyev and Bayramov in Baku, and the sides agreed to deepen cooperation.
- Visit
- Jaishankar’s first bilateral visit to Azerbaijan as Indian External Affairs Minister in eight years
- Meeting
- Jaishankar met President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Baku
- Cooperation
- Areas discussed included trade, investment, energy, tourism and connectivity
- Earlier strain
- Azerbaijan opposed India’s Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in May 2025
- Peace process
- Jaishankar welcomed the initialling of an Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agreement last August
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What people are saying
We have common interest in really promoting peace and progress and prosperity. And threats like terrorism, conflict, and instability are our common enemies.
Our talks charted a pathway forward for our relationship. Agreed to deepen political consultations, exchange visits, enhance economic activities, build connectivity and foster people-to-people ties.
It is no secret, we had different view point on different issues (but) today we had very long and positive and fruitful discussion.