PM Modi Reaffirms Dialogue and Diplomacy During Meeting With Armenia’s Pashinyan at SCO Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held talks in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, on the sidelines of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, with regional developments and the future of India-Armenia relations at the centre of discussions. The meeting was the first between the two leaders since Pashinyan’s re-appointment following Armenia’s general elections in June 2026.

Prime Minister Modi congratulated Pashinyan on his electoral victory and assumption of office. During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the steady expansion of bilateral cooperation across several areas, including defence, the economy, pharmaceuticals, mining and education. They expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved in recent years and agreed to continue strengthening the relationship between New Delhi and Yerevan.

The regional security situation was also an important part of the discussions. Modi and Pashinyan exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the situation in West Asia. Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s position that continued efforts through dialogue and diplomacy are essential to securing lasting peace and stability in the region.

Pashinyan also briefed Modi on the current status of the implementation of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Agreement. The discussion comes amid continued diplomatic efforts to consolidate peace and stability in the South Caucasus, a region of growing strategic importance for Eurasian connectivity and security.

The talks also highlighted the broadening strategic partnership between India and Armenia. Defence cooperation remains an important component of the relationship, while engagement in economic and other sectors is creating additional avenues for closer bilateral ties. Both leaders agreed to work together to deepen relations and advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The meeting reflects India’s continued diplomatic engagement with partners across Eurasia and its emphasis on peaceful approaches to regional conflicts. Modi’s message on dialogue and diplomacy in the context of West Asia also underlines New Delhi’s preference for negotiated solutions to complex regional security challenges.

With India and Armenia seeking to expand cooperation across defence, economic and other strategic sectors, the Modi-Pashinyan talks are expected to provide further momentum to bilateral engagement while reinforcing India’s wider diplomatic outreach at a time of significant geopolitical uncertainty