Pakistan and Armenia Consider Establishing Diplomatic Ties

In a significant diplomatic advancement, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar revealed on Friday that Pakistan and Armenia have reached an agreement to explore the possibility of establishing diplomatic relations.

This announcement followed a telephonic discussion between Dar and his Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan.

“The Foreign Minister of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, and I had a pleasant phone conversation today, during which we concurred to deliberate on establishing diplomatic relations between our nations,” Dar shared on X.

Currently, Pakistan and Armenia do not have formal diplomatic relations. Their relationship has been influenced by geopolitical tensions in the region, with Pakistan consistently supporting Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute.

This development surfaces after Azerbaijan and Armenia recently endorsed a peace accord, mediated by the United States, during a gathering with the US President Donald Trump, an agreement anticipated by analysts to enhance bilateral economic cooperation after decades of conflict.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have experienced discord since the late 1980s, when Nagorno-Karabakh, an Azerbaijani region with a majority of ethnic Armenians, sought separation from Azerbaijan with Armenia’s backing. Azerbaijan regained complete control of the area in 2023, leading to the departure of nearly all of the territory’s 100,000 ethnic Armenians to Armenia.

In response, PM Shehbaz Sharif hailed “the landmark peace agreement,” noting it as the beginning of a new period marked by peace, stability, and collaboration in the South Caucasus, a region that has faced prolonged conflict and distress.

“We extend our congratulations to President Ilham Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan on this momentous agreement, which demonstrates insight, prudence, and wisdom in outlining a path toward a peaceful future for their region.

Pakistan has consistently supported the brotherly nation of Azerbaijan and stands with them during this significant moment in their history,” the PM stated in a post on X.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the facilitating role of the U.S., under President Trump, in uniting the two parties and securing a deal that creates opportunities for trade, connectivity, and regional unity.