Deputy speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, Hakob Arshakyan, on Friday received Indian Ambassador Nilakshi Saha Sinha.
The Deputy Speaker of the NA highlighted the high-level bilateral visits of recent years, active parliamentary cooperation, and dialogues between the foreign ministries and defense ministries of the two countries. In this context, Arshakyan described the appointment of an Indian military attaché in Armenia as an important step.
According to the deputy speaker of the NA, special importance is attached to Armenia's membership in the International Solar Alliance, which is a joint initiative of India and France. According to Hakob Arshakyan, this also opens up new opportunities for cooperation in this domain. Also, he stressed that Armenia appreciates India's support for Armenia's bid to host the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biodiversity in 2026. It was noted that from the perspective of international cooperation, Armenia attaches importance to obtaining observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and is interested in joint programs within the framework of the North-South international transport corridor and the Chabahar Port project.
Besides, Hakob Arshakyan spoke about regional developments, reaffirming that Armenia consistently stands for peace in the South Caucasus and beyond. Reference was made to the ongoing negotiations on a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In terms of unresolved humanitarian issues, the release of Armenian prisoners of war and other detainees being held in Azerbaijan was underscored. And in the context of unblocking regional infrastructure, Armenia's "Crossroads of Peace" project was presented.
The Indian ambassador, in turn, stressed the need for continued development of bilateral relations, and expressed support for Armenia's efforts aimed at regional peace.
Besides, Sinha spoke about the current tension on the India-Pakistan border. In this connection, the NA deputy speaker Hakob Arshakyan emphasized that Armenia reaffirms its support to India on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. In his conviction, peace has no alternative, and agreements reached solely through dialogue can lead to lasting stability and regional development.
The opportunities for cooperation in information technology and business were discussed, too.
