AIBC Co-Founder & Secretary General Mr. Rananjay Anand had the privilege of attending the 52nd Sapru House Lecture in New Delhi. H.E. Mr. Ararat Mirzoyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, delivered a compelling address on “Armenia and India in a Changing World: Strengthening Ties, Securing Futures” as part of his official visit to India.
Organized by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), the event brought together diplomats, policymakers, business leaders, and academics dedicated to fostering deeper Indo-Armenian relations.
During his speech, FM Mirzoyan highlighted the longstanding historical ties between Armenia and India, emphasizing that these connections should be a foundation for stronger economic, political, and strategic partnerships. He underlined Armenia’s strategic role as a gateway to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and encouraged Indian businesses to explore investment opportunities in infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, technology, and agriculture.
A key focus of his speech was regional connectivity, where he stressed the importance of India’s development of Chabahar Port in expanding trade corridors. He also acknowledged the growing Armenia-India defense partnership, emphasizing its role in promoting regional security and stability.
Beyond economic and strategic cooperation, FM Mirzoyan also addressed pressing humanitarian concerns, particularly the illegal detention of Armenians in Azerbaijan following the 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh. He strongly condemned the continued imprisonment of prominent Armenian philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan and other Armenian prisoners held in Baku, calling on the international community to demand their immediate release. His remarks reflected Armenia’s broader commitment to advocating for human rights, justice, and regional peace.
In addition to his lecture, FM Mirzoyan met with India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation across multiple domains, including trade, connectivity, and security collaboration. Their discussions underscored the growing strategic synergy between Armenia and India, paving the way for deeper engagements in the future.
As a testament to the growing bilateral partnership, Armenia and India signed key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening cooperation in multiple sectors. Following the meeting between FM Mirzoyan and India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, the following agreements were signed:
- MoU between the Diplomatic School of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service of the Republic of India, enhancing diplomatic training and cooperation.
- MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Drug Regulation between the Scientific Center for Drug and Medical Technology Expertise of the Ministry of Health of Armenia and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India, fostering collaboration in pharmaceutical regulation.
Read more about FM Mirzoyan’s speech here: https://www.mfa.am/en/speeches/2025/03/10/Mirzoyan_ICWA/13104
Pic Credits: Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Armenia
