Armenian-Indian relations jeopardized while Pakistan considers Armenia enemy – Grigor Balasanyan

International affairs expert Grigor Balasanyan expressed skepticism regarding the establishment of diplomatic relations with Pakistan, following the signing of a document on August 31 in China. The agreement was signed by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar.

“Pakistan has not recognized the Republic of Armenia. The sequence of steps suggests that Pakistan should have first recognized Armenia, and only then signed a document establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. This does not bode well for Armenia, and this is further evidenced by the fact that Pakistan is blocking Armenia’s application for membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization—because India, in turn, blocked Azerbaijan’s application. India has issues with Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan is the enemy of India’s enemy. Pakistan’s approach to Armenia remains unclear. This is a continuation of the Turkish scenario: diplomatic relations are established, but they will only improve once Armenia normalizes relations with Azerbaijan. We made a mistake with Turkey, and now we are repeating that mistake with Pakistan,” Grigor Balasanyan said.

The expert believes that the move to establish diplomatic ties with Pakistan could negatively impact Armenian-Indian relations.

“By establishing diplomatic relations with Armenia, will Pakistan be restricted or bound by any obligation not to sell military equipment to Azerbaijan or conduct joint military exercises? Was the issue raised with Pakistan regarding media reports that Pakistani mountain troops participated in the battles for Hadrut? If these questions remain unanswered, what kind of diplomatic relations are we talking about? Armenia has once again fallen into a trap set by the Turkic world—Turkey and Azerbaijan—which will only harm us. In essence, we are already jeopardizing Armenian-Indian relations. I wouldn’t be surprised if India soon announces that the North-South corridor will take a different route—through Iran, the Caspian Sea, and Russia—bypassing Armenia, even though India had insisted it pass through Armenia to counter Azerbaijan-Pakistan cooperation. We are now severing the thread of centuries-old Armenian-Indian friendship, hoping for cooperation with a state that considers us an enemy and does not recognize us. Pakistan is not interested in Armenia and never will be. It has done its part—vetoed us, damaged Armenian-Indian relations—and what happens next is of no concern to Trump or Pakistan,” Grigor Balasanyan said.