Azerbaijan and India on Friday highlighted opportunities to develop bilateral cooperation amid an official visit by Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to the South Caucasus nation.
– During his visit to Baku, the Azerbaijani capital, the first by an Indian foreign minister in eight years, Jaishankar was received by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and held a detailed exchange of views on the current state of bilateral relations.
– “It was emphasized that there are ample opportunities for developing cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” according to a statement from the Azerbaijani presidency.
– The two sides highlighted shared interests on several issues on the international agenda, including matters of concern to countries of the Global South, it added.
– The prospects for developing bilateral cooperation in political, economic and trade, high-tech, cultural, humanitarian, and other spheres were discussed, it said.
– “During the conversation, the importance of cooperation within the framework of international organizations was highlighted,” the statement further said.
– Both sides underscored the need to intensify political contacts and facilitate mutual visits at various levels “as a means to further develop bilateral relations.
– In a statement on US social media company X, Jaishankar said: “Pleased to call on @presidentaz Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan in Baku this morning … Discussed strengthening the relationship between our two countries. Appreciate his positive sentiments for this shared endeavor.”
– The visit comes after Aliyev and Modi held talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s latest summit in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek in September.