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Traditionally a strong ally of Pakistan, Azerbaijan may be seeking a closer relationship with India, according to a report, citing recent developments.
According to The Economic Times report, in what could be seen as a confidence-building measure between the two countries, Azerbaijan is set to launch direct flights between its capital Baku and Ahmedabad starting July, signaling a growing interest in connecting with major Indian cities.
This new route will be Azerbaijan Airlines' third destination in India after Delhi and Mumbai. The airline has confirmed that flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays from July 4, added the report.
The flights between Mumbai and Baku will become regular from June 16, with operations on the same days.
Azerbaijan has seen a surge in Indian visitors, with the number of tourists from India hitting record highs in recent years, reported The Economic Times.
After the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, Azerbaijan issued a condolence message to India — a gesture significant given Azerbaijan's historically close ties with Pakistan.
In another notable diplomatic shift, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev refrained from commenting on the Kashmir issue during a press conference last month when he hosted Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Baku.
In the past, during similar occasions or his visits to Islamabad, Aliyev had publicly mentioned Kashmir, which was seen as an expression of support for Pakistan, given the Azerbaijan-Pakistan security partnership.
However, while Aliyev discussed various aspects of the bilateral relationship, including defence and economic ties, his recent statement notably omitted any mention of Kashmir.
This silence is viewed by some as a diplomatic balancing act, signaling Azerbaijan's growing interest in strengthening its relationship with India, the report added.
Bilateral trade between India and Azerbaijan has grown significantly in recent years.
From around $18 million in 2000, trade reached over $739 million by 2021, and further surged to $1.8 billion in 2022, marking a 156.4% increase.
Indian exports to Azerbaijan, which include rice, smartphones, aluminium oxides, drugs, and granite, have also seen significant growth. In 2022, Indian exports amounted to $220 million, up from $45 million in 2011.
Rice stands as the dominant export, accounting for 80.8% of Azerbaijan's total rice imports.
India’s investment in Azerbaijan has also grown. ONGC Videsh acquired a 2.72% stake in the Production Sharing Agreement for the Azeri, Chirag, and deep-water portions of the Gunashli (ACG) fields in the Caspian Sea in 2013, investing over $1.2 billion since then.
As bilateral trade, tourism, and strategic partnerships grow, the relationship between India and Azerbaijan appears to be strengthening, despite the complexities of their respective alliances.
With inputs from agencies
