In a significant development, Pakistan and Armenia have formally established diplomatic relations, marking a new chapter in their bilateral engagement. On 1st Sep, the foreign ministers of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, and Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, signed a joint communiqué in formalizing diplomatic ties between Yerevan and Islamabad.
Islamabad and Yerevan formally established diplomatic relations by exchanging a joint communique in Tianjin, on the sidelines of the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.The agreement includes provisions for both nations to exchange representatives and provide mutual support in line with the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry stated that both governments aim to foster friendly relations based on the principles of the UN Charter. These principles include mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, equality, mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. This move reflects a commitment to building constructive dialogue, despite historical and geopolitical complexities in the region.
Pakistan’s Strong Ties with Azerbaijan
While Pakistan’s establishment of diplomatic relations with Armenia is a step toward broader regional engagement, its relationship with Azerbaijan remains notably closer and more robust. Several factors explain the deep bond between Pakistan and Azerbaijan:
Pakistan and Azerbaijan share strong cultural, religious, and historical ties, rooted in their predominantly Muslim populations and shared values. This cultural alignment has fostered mutual goodwill and cooperation since Azerbaijan’s independence in 1991.
2Support on the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict: Pakistan has consistently supported Azerbaijan’s stance on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, recognizing Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and refusing to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia until recently. Pakistan was one of the few countries that did not recognize Armenia as a state prior to this agreement, largely due to Armenia’s occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh, a region internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. Pakistan’s vocal support during the 2020 Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, including military and diplomatic backing, solidified its alliance with Azerbaijan.
Pakistan and Azerbaijan have developed strong defense ties, including joint military exercises, arms deals, and training programs. Pakistan has supplied Azerbaijan with military equipment, such as JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, and both nations have collaborated on counter-terrorism and defense strategies. This cooperation contrasts with the absence of any such ties with Armenia.
Pakistan and Azerbaijan have pursued economic partnerships through bilateral trade agreements and initiatives like the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). Their trade volume, while modest, has grown steadily, focusing on energy, agriculture, and textiles. In contrast, economic ties with Armenia are negligible, and the new diplomatic relationship is unlikely to lead to significant trade in the near term due to logistical and geopolitical challenges.
Pakistan and Azerbaijan share strategic interests, particularly through their mutual ally,
Turkey. The trilateral partnership among Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey has strengthened their geopolitical alignment, with joint initiatives in diplomacy, defense, and regional security. This contrasts with Armenia’s closer ties to Russia and Iran, which have historically been at odds with Pakistan’s foreign policy priorities.
In Pakistan, Azerbaijan enjoys widespread public and political support, with frequent expressions of solidarity during bilateral visits and international forums. For example, Pakistan’s leadership has consistently endorsed Azerbaijan’s position in international organizations like the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Conversely, public sentiment in Pakistan toward Armenia has been neutral or negative due to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, though the new diplomatic ties may signal a shift toward pragmatic engagement.
Implications of Pakistan-Armenia Diplomatic Relations
The establishment of diplomatic relations with Armenia does not indicate a shift in Pakistan’s strong alliance with Azerbaijan. Instead, it reflects Pakistan’s broader foreign policy strategy of engaging with all nations to promote regional stability and economic opportunities. The move may also be influenced by recent developments in the South Caucasus, including the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire and subsequent peace efforts, which have reduced tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan. By opening channels with Armenia, Pakistan aims to position itself as a neutral player in the region while maintaining its unwavering support for Azerbaijan.
However, the depth of Pakistan-Azerbaijan ties-built on decades of mutual support-far outweighs the nascent diplomatic relationship with Armenia. The latter is likely to remain limited to formal exchanges and basic cooperation, given the historical and geopolitical