Pakistan and Armenia formally established diplomatic ties on Sunday, a move described by officials as a milestone in Islamabad’s foreign policy outreach.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan exchanged a joint communiqué during a meeting in Tianjin, China, the Foreign Office stated.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the United Nations Charter and agreed to identify opportunities for cooperation in areas such as trade, education, culture, and tourism. They also pledged to collaborate at bilateral and multilateral platforms to promote peace, progress, and prosperity for their peoples.
This marks the first time in history that the two countries have entered into formal diplomatic relations. The breakthrough comes just days after a telephone conversation between Dar and Mirzoyan, during which the Pakistani foreign minister welcomed the recent peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, calling it a step toward regional stability.
The move is significant given Pakistan’s decades-long stance of aligning with Azerbaijan, alongside Turkey, in the conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. Islamabad had never recognized Armenia and consistently supported Baku’s position at the United Nations and other forums, while Yerevan traditionally leaned on India for support, including in defense cooperation.
Analysts say the recent Armenia-Azerbaijan accord, widely viewed as a landmark settlement ending years of hostilities, has opened the door for a diplomatic thaw. For Pakistan, the decision represents a chance to recalibrate its policy in the South Caucasus without weakening ties with Azerbaijan.
Observers note that the establishment of relations between Islamabad and Yerevan could mark a major diplomatic realignment and reduce long-standing regional frictions.
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