India and Azerbaijan Reset Ties After Year of Operation Sindoor Friction

Key Takeaways

• Senior officials meet in Baku to resume Foreign Office consultations after a year-long diplomatic freeze.
• New dialogue focuses on trade, energy, and resolving differences regarding cross-border terrorism incidents.
• Bilateral cooperation improves with mutual support on travel safety and trade resumption despite past conflicts.

After a year of heightened diplomatic tensions stemming from Operation Sindoor, the governments of India and Azerbaijan have officially decided to reset their ties. This significant shift was formalized during a meeting in Baku where senior officials convened for the 6th round of Foreign Office consultations. The talks, held on Friday between Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary (West) Sibi George and Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov, mark the first high-level discussions between the two nations since 2022. This resumption of dialogue comes after a period defined by deep differences, particularly regarding Azerbaijan's close strategic partnership with Pakistan and India's relationship with Armenia.

In a joint statement, the Indian MEA confirmed that both sides "comprehensively reviewed" the state of their bilateral relations. The agenda for the meeting was broad, covering critical sectors such as trade, technology, tourism, pharmaceuticals, energy, and culture. Crucially, the statement explicitly included the "fight against cross-border terrorism," a topic that had previously caused significant diplomatic friction. This specific inclusion signals a potential thawing of relations, as New Delhi had previously been angered by Baku's stance on military strikes conducted during the earlier conflict.

The historical context of this reset is rooted in the events of the previous year. During Operation Sindoor, following the Pahalgam terror attacks, New Delhi launched strikes on sites within Pakistan. Azerbaijan responded by condemning the military attacks, issuing a statement on May 7 of last year that criticized the strikes as harmful to civilians and called for restraint. The Azerbaijani government, citing its close strategic partnership with Islamabad-bolstered by Pakistan's support against Armenia in the Nagorno Karabakh dispute-accused New Delhi of arming Armenia during the conflict. This ideological divergence led to a diplomatic rift that saw Azerbaijan blame India for various regional complications.

Tensions reached a peak in September when Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, during a meeting with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accused India of blocking Azerbaijan's bid to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Following this, President Aliyev's office released a statement on September 1, 2025, asserting that while India had attempted to retaliate in international organizations, these moves held no significance for Azerbaijan. The President's office emphasized that "brotherly relations take precedence above all," suggesting an internal desire to restore ties despite external diplomatic maneuvers.

Despite the public accusations, recent developments indicate a pragmatic shift toward cooperation. The resumption of India-Azerbaibia bilateral ties is evidenced by the return of crude oil exports to India, which now constitute 98% of Azerbaijan's exports to the country. ONGC Videsh, an Indian energy firm, maintains a significant stake in oil and gas fields and an energy pipeline within Azerbaijan, serving as a tangible anchor for the economic relationship.

Diplomatic momentum also gained traction through the activities of the newly appointed Indian Ambassador to Baku, Abhay Kumar. Following the presentation of his credentials, Ambassador Kumar engaged in discussions regarding various bilateral issues with government officials. Furthermore, a key gesture of goodwill occurred when Azerbaijan facilitated the exit of more than 200 Indian nationals who had been fleeing U.S. and Israel strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. This assistance came at a critical time in June 2025, when Indian nationals had been specifically advised against approaching Iran's land borders with Turkey or Azerbaijan due to the rift over support for Pakistan, and were instead directed to travel through Armenia and Turkmenistan.

In a recent briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed gratitude to the Azerbaijani government for the support rendered in enabling the exit of Indian nationals through the land border. When asked about lingering tensions regarding Operation Sindoor, the spokesperson chose to focus on the positive developments rather than addressing the past conflict directly. The tone of the recent interactions suggests a mutual desire to move forward. Sources indicate that during the talks in Baku, both sides agreed to "resolve differences through open dialogue and discussion."

Beyond the bilateral meeting, Mr. George also met with Foreign Policy Adviser to President Aliyev and Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. These interactions allowed both nations to review their ties and exchange views on regional and global matters of common interest. The meetings concluded with an agreement to hold the next round of talks in Delhi, solidifying the commitment to an ongoing dialogue process.

Azerbaijan President Aliyev Prioritizes Brotherhood Over Retaliation

The decision to reset ties following the Operation Sindoor crisis and the subsequent diplomatic spat over regional conflicts marks a pivotal moment for both nations. With the agreement to resolve differences through open dialogue and the resumption of vital trade flows, particularly in the energy sector, the trajectory of the relationship appears to be shifting toward stability. The facilitation of citizen evacuation and the emphasis on brotherly relations suggest that while strategic disagreements may persist, both governments are prioritizing pragmatic cooperation over ideological confrontation. As the next round of consultations prepares to move to Delhi, the focus will likely remain on deepening economic integration while maintaining a steady diplomatic channel to manage any remaining sensitivities regarding regional security dynamics.