Business

Armenia is keen to enhance ties with India: Minister Narek Mkrtchyan

In an exclusive interview with PharmaNews Live, Mr. Mkrtchyan emphasized on the potential for enhanced cooperation in trade, defense, infrastructure, cultural exchanges and beyond between Armenia and India

• By Karan Bhatia
• New Delhi
• Mar 15, 2024

Business

India and Armenia not only share a civilizational partnership rooted in historical ties between their people, but multifaceted relations between the two countries have been scaling new heights over the last few years.

Armenia’s Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Mr. Narek Mkrtchyan, against the backdrop of the RaisinaDialogue 2024, which took place in New Delhi from 21-23rd February, spoke about the depth of Armenia's partnership with India, illuminating pathways for expanded collaboration and synergy across diverse sectors between the two countries.

In an exclusive interview with PharmaNews Live, Mr. Mkrtchyan emphasized on the potential for enhanced cooperation in trade, defense, infrastructure, cultural exchanges and beyond between Armenia and India. Edited excerpts:

How do you define India’s role in Armenia’s foreign and national security policies, especially amidst the ongoing geostrategic bonhomie between Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Pakistan?

India is a key priority in Armenia's foreign policy. Bilateral relations between India and Armenia are of utmost significance to both sides. The cooperation between India and Armenia contributes to interconnectivity, stability, sustainability and regional peace, and we are looking for ways to make our cooperation even deeper. Armenia is keen to enhance closer ties with India, and also to work on raising bilateral ties to a strategically new level.

Talking about bilateral cooperation, India and Armenia are also partnering in developing some major infrastructure projects in Armenia. Could you please shed some light on these projects and plans?

The Government of Armenia is keen to see Indian firms bid for tenders for infrastructure projects in the country, particularly for marquee projects like the country’s North-South Road Corridor Investment Program, which runs along the length of the country.

Armenia also supports international connectivity initiatives, such as the INSTC. In fact, we are also inviting Indian companies to participate in tenders for Armenia's infrastructure plans within the "Crossroads of Peace" project, as an important component of Armenia’s peace agenda. The key essence of that project is the unblocking and development of communications in the region, based on the principles of sovereignty, national jurisdiction, reciprocity and equality.

Over the past few years, there has been an influx of Indian migrants and skilled labour force in Armenia. Are there any challenges when it comes to the migration and labour-exchange policies?

There are ongoing discussions with the Indian government to organize migration properly. It is extremely important for us to ensure decent work conditions for all migrants and avoid issues related to illegal migration channels.

India and Armenia are both culturally-strong countries. According to you, how important it is to strengthen the cultural ties between the two countries?

It is extremely important to strengthen the cultural ties between Armenia and India. In fact, there is a mutual appreciation of each other's cultural legacies and we laud India's preservation of Armenian heritage.