... development can justifiably be described as a “fundamental shift” in the regional architecture, which
had remained
static and predictable for several decades. However, one should not expect swift progress on this front either:
news reports
suggest that Pakistan and India have respectively blocked Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s bids for full SCO membership.
There is safety in numbers
A closer look at the individual themes surrounding the 25
th
SCO summit helps to temper the over-enthusiastic tone that often characterizes coverage of the event. ...
... of its security and will not seek additional support from the EU and Iran.
Thirdly, strengthening India's position in the South Caucasus will help to level out the regional power balance. Today, the presence of non-regional actors, such as Israel and Pakistan, on the side of Azerbaijan, which have confrontational or competitive relations with Iran, cement power imbalances. Therefore, if India's involvement in the region, as well as its rapprochement with Armenia, is brewing these imbalances, Iran may positively welcome this prospect.
Overall, India and Iran's interests in the South Caucasus are largely complementary, both in terms of developing communication and increasing Iran's role, as well as levelling ...