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Azerbaijan Foreign Affairs Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on Wednesday received Abhay Kumar, the newly appointed Ambassador of India to Azerbaijan, with both sides reviewing the current state of bilateral ties and exploring avenues for future cooperation.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, discussions during the meeting focused on the development prospects of relations between the two countries, alongside mechanisms to address both cooperation and differences. The two sides noted that the mechanism of political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs would serve as a useful platform for engaging on key issues. The meeting highlighted that historical ties between India and Azerbaijan continue to form a strong foundation for present-day relations. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the existence of direct flights and the growing cooperation in sectors such as tourism and education, which have contributed to strengthening people-to-people contacts. Energy cooperation also featured prominently in the discussions. According to the release, it was noted that the participation of Indian company ONGC Videsh in Azerbaijan's key energy assets remains a significant pillar of bilateral economic engagement. Specifically, ONGC Videsh's stake in the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli (ACG) field block and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline was described as one of the important directions of cooperation between the two countries. The two sides also exchanged views on regional developments, including the evolving situation in the Middle East, expressing concern over ongoing tensions in the region. During the meeting, Ambassador Abhay Kumar conveyed appreciation on behalf of India for the assistance extended by Azerbaijan during the evacuation of Indian nationals from Iran. On his part, Minister Bayramov congratulated the envoy on his appointment and wished him success in his diplomatic tenure. Ambassador Kumar thanked the Azerbaijani side for the warm reception and underlined his commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties. He emphasised his intention to contribute to the expansion of Azerbaijani-Indian relations across sectors during his tenure. The meeting reflects continued diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Baku, as both sides seek to deepen cooperation in energy, connectivity, and people-centric sectors while maintaining dialogue on regional and global issues of mutual interest. (ANI)
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