ISLAMABAD:
In a landmark move, Pakistan and Armenia on Sunday formally established diplomatic relations, opening a new chapter in Islamabad’s foreign policy outreach. The decision was sealed in Tianjin, China, where Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar exchanged a joint communiqué with his Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan.
According to the Foreign Office, both leaders reaffirmed their adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter and agreed to explore avenues of cooperation in trade, education, culture, and tourism. They also pledged to work together at both bilateral and multilateral forums to advance shared goals of peace and prosperity.
This marks the first time in history that the two countries have entered into formal diplomatic relations. The breakthrough comes only days after Senator Dar held a telephonic conversation with Mirzoyan, during which he welcomed the recent “historic peace agreement” between Armenia and Azerbaijan, calling it a promising development for regional stability.
For decades, Pakistan, along with Turkey, had strongly sided with Azerbaijan in its dispute with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, maintaining no diplomatic ties with Yerevan. Armenia, in response, developed close ties with India, including cooperation in the defence sector.
Observers say the recent peace accord between Armenia and Azerbaijan has created room for a diplomatic thaw. For Pakistan, this move represents an opportunity to recalibrate its strategy in the South Caucasus, while still preserving its strong relations with Azerbaijan.
Diplomatic analysts believe that the formalisation of ties between Islamabad and Yerevan could help reduce long-standing friction in the region and signal a new phase of regional engagement.
