Armenia Pivots: Expanding Diplomatic and Defense Ties with Ukraine and India

Armenia continues to diversify its foreign policy and security alliances amid ongoing tensions with its traditional ally, Russia. This strategic shift is reflected in Yerevan's strengthening relations with both Ukraine and India.

Armenian-Ukrainian Political Dialogue

Acting Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia, Vahan Kostanyan, visited Ukraine to attend events marking the 975th anniversary of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. During his visit, he held meetings with UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

While in Kyiv, Kostanyan also held talks with the Deputy Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, Olena Kondratiuk, and Deputy Foreign Minister Oleksandr Mischenko. Earlier, on August 4 and 11, 2026, phone conversations took place between the foreign ministers of both countries, followed by a call between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Military Cooperation with India

As part of a two-day visit to Yerevan, India's Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met with Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan and the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Edward Asryan. According to the Armenian Defense Ministry, Asryan and Singh exchanged documents outlining a new framework for defense cooperation.

The Indian Ministry of Defence stated that the parties discussed new avenues for collaboration,

"reaffirming their shared commitment to deepen and elevate the Indo-Armenian defense partnership."

Minister Suren Papikyan emphasized that the negotiations focused heavily on

"military-technical cooperation."

Following the 2020 war in Artsakh, India has emerged as one of Armenia's primary weaponry suppliers, assisting the country in modernizing its armed forces.