Azerbaijani President Aliyev avoids Kashmir issue during Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif's visit

In a break from the past, during the recent visit of Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif to Baku, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev did not rake up or touch upon the Kashmir issue during a joint press event unlike during a Turkey-Pakistan meeting.

In the past, on such occasions or during his trip to Islamabad, Aliyev had referred to Kashmir in his public statements in what was viewed as support to Pakistan in the backdrop of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan security partnership.

While Aliyev referred to several other aspects of the relationship, including defence industry and economic ties, curiously there was no reference to Kashmir in his statement.


Azerbaijan remains a key energy supplier to India with investments from Indian oil companies. Last month, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR), Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL), and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) signed a non-binding memoranMoU to formalise their collaboration.