Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: History, India’s response

Source: This post has been created based on the article “Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: History, India’s response” published in the Indian Express on 6^th October 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 — International Relations: Bilateral relationships involving India and/or affecting India’s interests including India and West Asian Nations.

News: The article discusses the history of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the historical development of their bilateral relations with India, and India’s foreign policy response to the issue.

Nagorno-Karabakh is at the root of the tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The province is officially recognised as part of Azerbaijan. Its population is predominantly ethnic Armenian, having close cultural, social, and historical ties with Armenia. The Armenians are Christians, while Azeris are Muslims. The enclave is connected to Armenia through the Lachin Corridor.

What is the history of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh?

Historically, Nagorno-Karabakh was part of the Azerbaijan SSR (Soviet Socialist Republic). Conflict emerged with the weakening and the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. This led to the following major developments:

1) In 1991, the region declared independence leading to war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with Armenia having the upper hand. In 1994, Russia brokered a ceasefire known as the Bishkek Protocol.

2) In 2020, Azerbaijan managed to take control of the territory around Nagorno-Karabakh.

3) In December 2022, the Lachin Corridor was blockaded by Azerbaijan, causing severe shortages of essential goods in the province.

4) In September 2023, Azerbaijan launched an “anti-terrorist” offensive and claimed to have regained full control of the province.

What has been India’s position?

India’s foreign policy position has been one of balance and not taking clear sides.

Accordingly, India believes that any lasting resolution of the conflict can only be achieved peacefully through diplomatic dialogue and negotiations.

In this regard, India supports OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) Minsk Group’s continued efforts for a peaceful resolution.

How are India’s ties in the region?

India has ties with both. The region is also important for its centrality to India’s plans of connectivity through the south Caucasus.

India-Armenia relations:

Historical ties of the two countries date back thousands of years. Cultural interactions have taken place as part of military invasions, establishing of communities and movement of traders.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, India established diplomatic relations and has a treaty relationship with Armenia.

Armenia also supports for India’s position on the Kashmir issue and on the question of a permanent seat in the UNSC.

In 2022, military cooperation strengthened in terms of India’s supply of military weapons and ammunitions worth US $250 million.

India-Azerbaijan relations:

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, India established diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan.

However, Azerbaijan’s proximity to Pakistan has been seen as a roadblock in the bilateral ties. In contrast to Armenia, there has not been a single high-level visit between the two countries.

What should be the way forward for India?

Because of the geographical location of Armenia and Azerbaijan, the region is important as a viable corridor for India’s connectivity with Russia and Europe through Central Asia and Iran. Armenia and Azerbaijan are both members of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which holds importance for India.

Hence, tensions in the region directly impact India’s plans to bypass Pakistan as the gateway to Europe and Russia. India will have to walk a “diplomatic tightrope” to figure out a way around this dilemma.