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‘The main goal is to have a strategic partnership; to build a future on trust’

APRI Armenia co-hosted a dialogue with The Observer Research Foundation at Raisina Dialogue 2024. Where the panelist spoke about the future cooperation and development of India–Armenia ties.

• By Newsdesk
• New Delhi
• Feb 23, 2024

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The India-Armenia Dialogue unfolded with unprecedented fervor as experts and policymakers convened for a series of panel discussions, delving deep into the realms of geopolitics, geoeconomics, trade, connectivity, and technology. 

Moderated by Lara Setrakian, President, APRI Armenia the other panelists were - Manu Pubby, Senior Editor, The Economic Times, Nvard Chalikyan Research Fellow, APRI Armenia, Benyamin Poghosyan, Senior Research Fellow, APRI Armenia and Reena Pandey, Former Indian Ambassador to Armenia.

The first panel explored the profound implications of Armenia's strategic positioning and technological prowess for India. Benyamin Poghosyan commented “India is one of the rising powers, definitely India will be pillars of this emerging post-unicorn world in our lifetime and beyond.” Amidst discussions on global power dynamics and the shifting landscape of supply chains, a consensus emerged on the pivotal role Armenia can play as India's trusted partner in navigating the complexities of an ever-evolving world. “In this emerging multipolar world,, India and Armenia can do a lot of things but need to be supportive of each other”, he added.

Highlighting Armenia's significance in the emerging post-unicorn era, Nvard Chalikyan underscored the symbiotic nature of the relationship, emphasizing the need for mutual support and collaboration. He quoted, “it is important to achieve one's goals, but it is also important to stay human while doing that. And that's what India stands for. And this is something that also resonates Armenian philosophy that has its roots in Christian thinking of just war.” The dialogue ventured into diverse domains, ranging from defense cooperation to technology transfer, laying the groundwork for a strategic partnership poised to shape the future of both nations.

The conversation further focused on the pivotal role of trust in fostering civilizational peace and enabling multifaceted collaboration. Highlighting India's evolving stance in global affairs, Manu Pubby noted how India's engagement with Armenia has disrupted the conventional narrative dominated by superpower dynamics, ushering in a new era of cooperation. Manu stated, “more than just being a transnational relationship into selling and buying equipment, I think there is a real potential between the two countries to collaborate on future technology. And that is where I think the strengths of both sides can be brought together and we can develop new generation, next generation systems which the forces need to man our borders. You know, India has a huge experience in managing contested borders.”

The discussion also delved into the realm of space technology, where India's prowess in satellite development and launch services presented avenues for collaboration with Armenia. With India open to partnerships in satellite imaging and communication, panelists envisioned a future where both nations could jointly explore space-based applications, leveraging each other's strengths for mutual benefit.

Crucially, the panelists emphasized the foundational role of trust in driving this burgeoning partnership forward. Drawing parallels to historical alliances and contemporary geopolitical realities, they emphasized the need for institutional frameworks and strategic dialogues to solidify the Indo-Armenian partnership across various sectors. “it's better to preempt than, you know. So this is where I see our trust level should go, should transcend to working so closely and in a way that enhances our own development and we work together to also give this message that we are working for our security and development which will also spread to the world, which will naturally bring tensions down,” said Reena Pandey.

As the panel drew to a close, the consensus among participants was clear: India and Armenia stand at the cusp of a transformative partnership, one that promises to redefine regional dynamics and unlock new opportunities for collaboration in defense, technology, and beyond. With a shared commitment to trust-building and institutional cooperation, the two nations are poised to chart a path towards greater security, innovation, and prosperity for their peoples and the wider world.