Azerbaijan shifts stance after backing Pakistan, now seeks fresh start with India
Azerbaijan, which supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, is now working to rebuild ties with India through fresh diplomatic talks in Baku.
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Azerbaijan, which had openly supported Pakistan during India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’, is now attempting to rebuild its relationship with India. A high-level diplomatic meeting held in Baku on Friday is being seen as a significant step toward restoring bilateral ties.
India’s Secretary (West) Sibi George led the Indian delegation during the sixth round of Foreign Office Consultations. This marks one of the most comprehensive engagements between the two countries in recent years, aimed at rebuilding lost political trust and expanding cooperation across key sectors.
What did Azerbaijan do during ‘Operation Sindoor’?
In April 2025, after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ between May 7 and 10, targeting nine major terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
During this period, Azerbaijan and Turkey openly supported Pakistan. Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry issued a statement criticizing India’s actions and expressing solidarity with Pakistan, urging restraint. This move triggered strong reactions in India, including a “Boycott Turkey-Azerbaijan” trend on social media, which significantly impacted tourism.
India also opposed Azerbaijan’s full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, leading to a freeze in diplomatic relations.
Steps toward a ‘new beginning’ in relations
After a prolonged period of strained ties, the recent meeting between Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and the Indian delegation focused on reviewing current relations and exploring future cooperation.
India highlighted a broad agenda including trade, technology, tourism, pharmaceuticals, energy, culture, and strong action against cross-border terrorism. Azerbaijan emphasized practical cooperation in sectors such as economy, trade, energy, tourism, and education.
What was behind Azerbaijan’s earlier stance?
A major reason behind Azerbaijan’s support for Pakistan was the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan believed that India had supported its rival Armenia during the conflict.
However, after the latest talks, Azerbaijan acknowledged the differences and stressed the importance of continued dialogue. Both sides agreed that despite disagreements, sustained engagement is necessary to bridge gaps and improve bilateral ties.