Tianjin, China – Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev accused India of targeting Azerbaijan in international forums over its close ties with Pakistan, during a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin on Monday.
Aliyev emphasized Azerbaijan’s “brotherhood” with Pakistan, congratulating Islamabad on its reported victory in the April-May military clash with India, where Pakistan downed several Indian jets, including Rafales, per Sharif’s remarks. Sharif thanked Azerbaijan for its solidarity and highlighted the Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Pakistan trilateral format.
The leaders discussed boosting trade and economic ties through their intergovernmental commission. Aliyev also noted progress in Azerbaijan’s peace process with Armenia, citing a recent US-brokered deal facilitated by President Trump, who also strengthened Azerbaijani-American relations during Aliyev’s Washington visit.
India’s growing arms sales to Armenia since 2020, seen as a counter to the Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Pakistan alliance, have raised concerns, per the South China Morning Post. On Sunday, Armenia and Pakistan established diplomatic relations, a shift delayed by Pakistan’s support for Azerbaijan in the Karabakh conflict, which Azerbaijan fully reclaimed in 2023.
The SCO summit underscored the Azerbaijan-Pakistan partnership’s resilience amid India’s alleged retaliatory moves, signaling potential for further regional tensions.
Source: TRT World and Agencies
