• UGI USER
  • Oct 06, 2023
  • 31 Likes
  • 0 Comments

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: History, India’s response

Relevance

  • GS Paper 2 International relations.
  • Tags: #NagornoKarabakh #Armenia #Azerbaijan #INSTC #conflict.

Why in the News?

  • The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, is known as a “frozen conflict.” The conflict flared up again in 2020, with heavy fighting that resulted in thousands of casualties and the displacement of tens of thousands of people.
  • A ceasefire was eventually brokered, but tensions remain high and the conflict remains unresolved.
  • On September 19-20, 2023, Azerbaijan initiated a significant military offensive, declaring victory in Nagorno-Karabakh.
  • Authorities of the province now suggest Nagorno-Karabakh’s dissolution by January 1, 2024.
  • South Caucasus developments impact India’s connectivity and regional ties.
  • The conflict is in the news because it is a potential flashpoint for regional instability and has the potential to draw in other countries, including Russia and Turkey. It is also a humanitarian crisis, with thousands of people still displaced and in need of assistance.
  • In addition, this conflict is a reminder of the importance of resolving long-standing conflicts peacefully and through dialogue.

Nagorno-Karabakh: The Region

  • Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region, is officially part of Azerbaijan. It maintains a connection to Armenia through the 5-kilometer-long Lachin Corridor.
  • Predominantly ethnic Armenian population with close ties to Armenia. Nagorno-Karabakh is essentially an Armenian-majority region within Azerbaijan, with Armenians being Christians and Azeris Muslims.
  • Historically influenced by imperial Russia, Ottoman Empire, and Persia. Became part of the Azerbaijan SSR (Soviet Socialist Republic) in 1921 within the USSR.

The History of the Conflict

  • After the collapse of the Soviet Union, tensions arose in 1988 when Nagorno-Karabakh’s legislature sought to join Armenia.
  • Nagorno-Karabakh officially declared independence in 1991, leading to war and Armenia capturing Nagorno-Karabakh and additionally, occupied 20% of Azerbaijan’s geographic area.
  • Russia brokered a ceasefire known as the Bishkek Protocol in 1994, making Nagorno-Karabakh de facto independent with ties to Armenia.
  • Conflict reignited in September 2020, with Azerbaijan reclaiming territory. Russia brokered a ceasefire, but a peace deal wasn’t reached.
  • Russia provided peacekeeping forces along the Lachin Corridor. But having tasted victory, Azerbaijan wanted more concessions and no peace deal was inked. 

The Developments in the conflict

  • Azerbaijan received military support from Turkey, Pakistan, and foreign fighters from Syria, Libya and Afghanistan as well.
  • Lachin Corridor blockade in December 2022 caused shortages of essential goods including food, fuel and water in Nagorno-Karabakh.
  • Luis Moreno Ocampo, former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), cautioned that there was a credible foundation to suspect that Azerbaijan was engaged in genocidal actions in Nagorno-Karabakh, highlighting starvation as a covert tool of genocide.
  • Azerbaijan launched an “anti-terrorist” offensive in September 2023 further escalated tensions. The Azerbaijan President Aliyev is hailed as a hero, while Armenian PM Pashinyan faces protests.

India & the region: Historical connection

  • Armenian influence in India’s history can be traced back to the Assyrian queen Semiramis.
  • Literary evidence suggests that Indian settlements in Armenia were established in 149 BC by two princes, Krishna and Ganesh, who were escaping from Kannauj.
  • The first guidebook to Indian cities in Armenian was written in the 12th century.
  • Emperor Akbar, who is believed to have had an Armenian wife named Mariam Zamani Begum, granted Armenians privileges and considerable religious freedom.
  • In the 16th century, Armenian communities emerged in Indian cities like Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, and Agra. Today, the vestigial Armenian community is mainly settled in Kolkata.
  • The ‘Ateshgah’ fire temple near Baku is an 18th-century monument with a much older history and features wall inscriptions in Devanagari and Gurmukhi. It serves as evidence of the hospitality Indian merchants received on the Silk Route to Europe in Azerbaijani cities like Baku and Ganja.
  • In modern times, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, India recognized the independence of both Armenia and Azerbaijan and established diplomatic relations with them.

Ties with Armenia

  • India established its embassy in Armenia in 1999. India and Armenia maintain a treaty relationship.
  • High-level visits, including those by the Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister, have occurred between the two countries.
  • Armenia supports India’s stance on the Kashmir issue and India’s aspirations for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
  • In 2022, a significant India-Armenia deal was signed to supply the Armenian armed forces with PINAKA multi-barrel rocket launchers (MBRL), anti-tank munitions, and ammunition and warlike stores, valued at US $250 million. This deal was seen as India aligning itself with Yerevan.

Ties with Azerbaijan

  • The geographical closeness of Azerbaijan to Pakistan has been viewed as a complicating factor in India’s relationship with Armenia.
  • Notably, there has been no visit at the Head of State or Government level between India and Azerbaijan.
  • In recent years, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu visited Baku for the NAM Summit in 2019, and he was accompanied by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
  • Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also visited Azerbaijan for the NAM ministerial meeting in 2018.

Importance of the region for India

  • There is a corridor that serves as a vital link for India’s connectivity with Russia and Europe, passing through Central Asia and Iran.
  • India backs Armenia’s suggestion to incorporate Iran’s Chabahar port into the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
  • Both Armenia and Azerbaijan are participants in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
  • The presence of tensions in the region directly affects India’s efforts to find alternative routes to bypass Pakistan as the primary gateway to Europe and Russia. India faces the challenge of devising alternative strategies in this context.

India’s stance in the conflict

  • India advocates peaceful diplomatic negotiations for resolving the conflict.
  • Also emphasizes the safety and well-being of civilians in the region.
  • India Holds diplomatic ties with both Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is a tight rope walk for India to balance the both.

Way forward

  • India should continue its impartial stance in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict while intensifying efforts to establish alternative trade routes, diversifying connectivity options.
  • Diplomatic engagement and fostering peaceful dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan remain crucial for regional stability and India’s strategic interests.

 

What is the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC)?

The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a multimodal transportation network that connects India to Russia, Europe, and Central Asia via Iran. It aims to facilitate the movement of goods and reduce transportation costs through a combination of maritime, rail, and road routes.

Key highlights of INSTC

  • Strategic Importance: INSTC is of great strategic importance to India as it provides an alternative route for trade with Central Asia, Russia, and Europe, bypassing traditional routes through Pakistan and China. This reduces India’s dependency on these routes and enhances its connectivity options.
  • Reduced Transportation Costs: INSTC aims to significantly reduce transportation costs and transit time for Indian goods traveling to Russia and Europe. This can make Indian products more competitive in international markets.
  • Maritime Link: The corridor includes the use of Iran’s Chabahar Port, which India has been developing as a key access point to Afghanistan and Central Asia. Chabahar Port not only facilitates trade but also enhances India’s strategic presence in the region.
  • Boosting Trade: INSTC has the potential to boost trade volumes between India and the countries in the corridor. It opens up new markets and trade opportunities for Indian businesses.
  • Multilateral Cooperation: INSTC involves multiple countries, including Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, and others. It showcases India’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and regional integration.
  • Challenges: While INSTC holds great promise, there are challenges related to infrastructure development, logistics, and geopolitical factors that need to be addressed for its full realization.

Source: Indian Express, Livemint

Mains Question

In the context of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, discuss India’s policy of neutrality and its pursuit of alternative trade routes. Analyze the implications of this stance on India’s regional and global strategic interests.