MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George's calls on Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov
Baku, April 3
Secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday called on Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
In a post on X the MEA said they reviewed bilateral ties and exchanged views on regional and global matters of common interest.
In a post on X, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote, "Secretary (West) @AmbSibiGeorge called on Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Jeyhun Bayramov. They reviewed bilateral ties and exchanged views on regional and global matters of common interest."
"The 6th round of India-Azerbaijan Foreign Office Consultations was also held in Baku, co-chaired by Secretary (West) and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Elnur Mammadov. They comprehensively reviewed the current state of bilateral relations covering areas of mutual interest. The issues discussed included trade, technology, tourism, pharmaceuticals, culture, people-to-people relations and fight against cross border terrorism."
"Secretary (West) also met with Mr Hikmet Hajiyev, Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of Azerbaijan."
The visit also marked the 6th round of India-Azerbaijan Foreign Office Consultations, co-chaired by Secretary (West) and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elnur Mammadov. They comprehensively reviewed the current state of bilateral relations, covering areas of mutual interest. The issues discussed included trade, technology, tourism, pharmaceuticals, culture, people-to-people relations and fight against cross-border terrorism.
In addition to the consultations, Secretary (West) held a meeting with Hikmet Hajiyev, Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of Azerbaijan. Both sides emphasised strengthening cooperation in sectors such as energy, tourism, and technology, as well as fostering closer cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
The discussions also touched upon strategies to address cross-border terrorism and enhance collaboration in global forums on issues of shared concern. The two sides agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations at a mutually convenient date in New Delhi, underlining the ongoing commitment to deepening India-Azerbaijan relations.
Sources noted that the Secretary's engagement in Baku reinforces India's focus on expanding ties with Azerbaijan across economic, cultural, and security domains.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Pharmaceuticals and tourism are great areas for collaboration. Indian medicines are affordable and effective, and I'm sure Azerbaijan's beautiful landscapes would attract many Indian tourists. Win-win!
While I appreciate the diplomatic outreach, I sometimes wish there was more transparency. What specific "strategies" on cross-border terrorism were discussed? The MEA statements can feel a bit generic. A little more detail for the public would be good.
Strong ties with Azerbaijan are crucial. They are a key partner in Central Asia and can help balance regional dynamics. The focus on technology and people-to-people relations is the right way to build a lasting partnership. Jai Hind!
Cultural exchanges are so important! Would love to see more Azerbaijani music, dance, and food festivals in India, and for them to experience our incredible diversity. That's how real bonds between countries are made. 😊
Interesting read. From an outside perspective, India's multi-alignment foreign policy is on full display here. Engaging with a country like Azerbaijan, which has its own complex regional relationships, shows a pragmatic approach to diplomacy.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.