Azerbaijan-Pakistan: A Friendship Built On Mutual Love And Respect

Azerbaijan and Pakistan have enjoyed close relations since the Republic of Azerbaijan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Pakistan was the second country to recognise Azerbaijan's independence, and the two nations are considered strategic partners.

The two countries have a history of cooperation on matters of national interest, including the Kashmir conflict, the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, and the non-recognition of Armenia. Azerbaijan and Pakistan have also collaborated in the fields of trade, defence, and energy, with several agreements signed to enhance bilateral relations.

The friendly ties between the two countries can be partly attributed to their shared Islamic faith and cultural connections. The relationship has been further strengthened by mutual support and diplomatic backing during times of conflict, such as the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, where Pakistan openly backed Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijanis are welcoming and kind to Pakistanis

Azerbaijanis are known for their hospitality and kindness towards Pakistanis. This is evident through the historical and cultural ties between the two nations. Here are some reasons why Azerbaijanis are welcoming and kind to Pakistanis:

Historical Ties

Azerbaijan and Pakistan have a long history of diplomatic relations. Pakistan played a significant role in Azerbaijan's independence from the USSR. In 1991, Pakistan was the first country to recognise Azerbaijan as an independent state, and this act strengthened the bond between the two nations. Since then, both countries have supported each other on various international issues. For example, Pakistan is the only country that does not recognise Armenia, standing in solidarity with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Cultural Similarities

Both countries share cultural similarities, with a majority of their populations practising the same religion. Additionally, the two nations have a history of trade and business relations, with Pakistani businessmen travelling to Azerbaijan even before Pakistan's independence. The two countries also share borders with Iran, which has influenced their cultural commonalities.

Humanitarian Aid

Azerbaijan and Pakistan have a history of providing humanitarian aid to each other during times of need. For instance, during a plague outbreak in what was then British India in the early 20th century, Azerbaijani millionaire and philanthropist Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev bought and sent plague inoculations to Pakistan, playing a major role in the victory over the disease. This act of kindness was remembered and recognised in Pakistani textbooks, and it solidified the perception of Azerbaijan as a brotherly state.

Recent Developments

In recent years, Azerbaijan has eased the visa process for Pakistanis, making it easier for tourists and businesspeople to travel between the two countries. Additionally, Azerbaijan has expressed interest in investing in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), recognising its potential as a leading trade route to Central Asia.

In summary, Azerbaijanis are welcoming and kind to Pakistanis due to a combination of historical, cultural, and diplomatic factors. The two nations have a history of mutual support and recognition, which has fostered a strong relationship between their peoples.

Azerbaijan and Pakistan have a strategic partnership

The two nations have enhanced contact between their capitals, Baku and Islamabad, where each maintains an embassy. They have also held several summits and signed numerous agreements to improve trade and cooperation, with a particular focus on defence and military cooperation.

Azerbaijan and Pakistan have a robust defence partnership, with Islamabad consistently supporting Baku in its conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. This support includes military exercises, joint training, and defence equipment sales. In 2022, the two countries, along with Turkey, held joint military drills. This cooperation ensures regional stability and serves as a deterrent against potential aggressors.

In addition to defence ties, the two countries also cooperate in the energy sector. Azerbaijan, a major energy exporter, signed an agreement to export LNG to Pakistan. This agreement presents exciting opportunities for Pakistan and contributes to the expansion of their strategic partnership.

The relationship between Azerbaijan and Pakistan extends beyond politics and defence. There is a growing cultural and social connection, facilitated by visa facilitation and increasing air connectivity, which has encouraged tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

Both countries also understand the importance of unwavering political support for each other. They consistently voice support for each other's territorial integrity and stances on respective conflicts, such as the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute and the Kashmir issue.

The future of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan strategic partnership holds immense promise, with potential for further collaboration in various sectors, including education, technology, agriculture, and infrastructure development. Exploring emerging fields like cybersecurity and digitalization can also create new opportunities for mutual benefit.

Azerbaijanis support Pakistan in the Kashmir conflict

Azerbaijan and Pakistan have a history of strong diplomatic relations, with both nations considered "strategic partners". Azerbaijan is a Shia Muslim and Turkic-speaking country, and Pakistan was the second country to recognize Azerbaijan as an independent country in the early 1990s, after Turkey.

Azerbaijan and Pakistan have continuously backed each other on various international forums on matters of national interest, such as the Kashmir conflict, in which Pakistan is involved, and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, involving Azerbaijan.

Pakistan is the only country in the world that does not recognize Armenia as a sovereign state, due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Pakistan has declared that recognition of Armenia will only be possible if Armenians relinquish their claim to Nagorno-Karabakh and end their presence in the disputed territory. In turn, Azerbaijan supports Pakistan's stance on Kashmir.

In April 1993, a meeting of the UN Security Council, led by Pakistan, unanimously adopted resolution No. 822 concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Pakistan is also a member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference on Aggressive Measures of the Republic of Armenia, directed against Azerbaijan.

In recent years, Azerbaijan and Pakistan have strengthened their military ties. In 2014, the two countries signed an agreement on mutual military cooperation. Pakistan has also provided military training to about a hundred Azerbaijani military units over the past decade. In 2022, Azerbaijan hosted joint military drills with Pakistan and Turkey.

In addition to military cooperation, Azerbaijan and Pakistan have also collaborated in the fields of trade, economy, energy, and humanitarian aid. Both countries have held several summits and signed agreements to improve trade relations and enhance bilateral cooperation.

The relationship between Azerbaijan and Pakistan extends beyond politics and diplomacy, with cultural connections also playing a role. For example, Baku State University has a dedicated branch of the language department for the study of Urdu.

The close ties between Azerbaijan and Pakistan are rooted in their shared historical traditions and mutual recognition of each other's independence. The two countries continue to support each other on matters of national interest, including the Kashmir conflict, contributing to the strong bond between the two nations.

Azerbaijan and Pakistan have a history of mutual support

Pakistan played a major role in Azerbaijan's independence from the USSR. In 1991, Pakistan was the second country to recognise Azerbaijan's independence, after Turkey. This strengthened the bond between the two countries, and they are now considered "strategic partners".

Azerbaijan and Pakistan have supported each other in various international forums and conflicts. Pakistan is the only country that does not recognise Armenia, standing in solidarity with Baku. Pakistan also supports Azerbaijan's position in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and Azerbaijan supports Pakistan's stance on Kashmir. In 2019, when New Delhi unilaterally rolled back the nominal autonomy of Kashmir, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev expressed concern at India's human rights violations in the disputed region.

The two countries have also signed several agreements to enhance trade and cooperation. In 2002, an agreement was concluded on defence and military cooperation. In 2005, a branch of the National Bank of Pakistan was opened in Baku, and a special working group has been established to further increase trade. In 2017, the two countries agreed that Azerbaijan would export oil and gas products to Pakistan.

In addition to economic and political ties, there are also cultural connections between the two countries. There is a special branch of the language department at Baku State University dedicated to the study of Urdu. The relationship between Azerbaijan and Pakistan continues to develop in the religious and cultural spheres.

Azerbaijanis respect Pakistan's support for Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Azerbaijanis hold a deep respect for Pakistan's support for their country during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This respect is rooted in the historical context of the two nations' relationship, which dates back to the early 20th century.

During a deadly plague outbreak in what was then British India (now Pakistan), Azerbaijani millionaire and philanthropist Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev generously provided more than 300,000 ampoules of plague inoculation at his own expense. This act played a pivotal role in the victory over the plague, saving countless lives. The story of Tagiyev's benevolence was passed down through generations in Pakistan, and when Pakistan gained independence in 1947, this historical gesture was included in textbooks.

Fast forward to the collapse of the USSR and the emergence of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan, Pakistan was quick to recognise its independence on December 12, 1991, becoming the second country to do so after Turkey. This early recognition laid the foundation for strong bilateral relations, with both nations enjoying a "strategic partnership."

During the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Pakistan stood firmly by Azerbaijan's side. Pakistan is the only country in the world that does not recognise Armenia as a state and supports Azerbaijan's stance on the conflict. Additionally, Pakistan is one of the few countries that recognise the Khojaly massacre, allegedly perpetrated by Armenia against Azerbaijanis, as a genocide.

The military cooperation between the two nations is also noteworthy. Pakistan has provided military training to approximately 100 Azerbaijani military units over the past decade. Furthermore, there have been reports of Pakistani soldiers aiding the Azeri military during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, although the Pakistani government officially denied these claims.

The mutual support between Azerbaijan and Pakistan extends beyond the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In 2005, Azerbaijan provided aid to Pakistan following a devastating earthquake in the country. Additionally, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, named after the former president of Azerbaijan, has offered humanitarian assistance to several local Pakistani social welfare institutions and charitable organisations.

The relationship between the two countries continues to flourish, with frequent high-level meetings and agreements signed to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including defence, trade, health, and education.

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