Armenia Pivots: Forging Defense Ties with India and the UK Amid Growing CSTO Rift

Artur Hovhannisyan, a lawmaker from Armenia's ruling "Civil Contract" faction, leveled sharp criticism at the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). He emphasized that the Russian-led military-political alliance has yet to formally recognize the sovereign borders of the Republic of Armenia—the very borders defined when the country originally joined the bloc.

Addressing national security, the MP highlighted ongoing efforts to boost the domestic military industry and diversify the country's global relations. According to massispost.com, Hovhannisyan stated:

"...instead of depending on one center, we want to have multiple partnerships..."

.

Meanwhile, CSTO Deputy Secretary General Taalatbek Masadykov told the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti that the question of Armenia's future participation in the bloc must be resolved within a

"reasonable timeframe"

. The next meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council is scheduled to take place in Moscow on November 11. It is worth noting that Yerevan officially froze its participation in the CSTO in 2024, citing the alliance's inaction during the border security crises of 2021 and 2022.

Defense Ties with India

Yerevan is actively expanding its military cooperation with New Delhi. On August 17, 2026, India's Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh arrived in Armenia for an official visit. The two sides agreed to jointly develop defense technologies, research, and innovations.

Political Dialogue with Great Britain

Diplomatic engagements are also advancing at the parliamentary level. Narek Karapetyan, head of the opposition "Strong Armenia" faction in the National Assembly, along with Deputy Speaker Aram Vardanyan, recently met with the UK Ambassador to Armenia, Alexandra Cole.

The parties discussed bilateral cooperation, the current political landscape in Armenia, and ongoing challenges within the country's judicial and educational systems.