The Indian Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia, Nilakshi Saha Sinha, emphasized the foreign policy importance of Yerevan for New Delhi, stating that 'Armenia is our reliable partner in the South Caucasus.'

Despite the ever-increasing arms supplies from India to Armenia, the statement is not merely a formality. This is especially true given recent issues that have arisen on traditional transit routes linking India and Europe, which seem to have occurred 'by a strange coincidence' or 'as if by order.' In the Red Sea, Iranian proxy Houthis have disrupted international shipping, causing transit routes that were once considered exotic to become in demand again.

It has been reported that the UAE-Israel land corridor, previously promoted by India and the U.S. as a promising route for transit between India and the EU, is being extended to Egypt. It should be noted that the use of this route has increased significantly following the Houthi attacks on merchant ships.

According to The Times of Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, and Egypt have established a secure land route to supply Israel with necessary goods.

The new transportation route is important not only for Israel but also for the delivery of goods from India to the Mediterranean basin and further to Europe. This project is supported by the U.S. and is based on the Abraham Accords of 2020, which facilitated peace between Israel and four Arab countries: the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.

The UAE-Israel-Egypt land corridor has grown rapidly due to Iran, which is considered the 'sworn enemy' of both the U.S. and Israel. The Houthis have hardly deployed their 'activity' on maritime communications without Iran's authorization.

 Iran is blocking shipping in the Red Sea with the help of the Houthis, but it does not forget about its own interests. Iran offers transit of goods from India to Europe through its territory via the port of Chehbehar. The goods can then be transported by land through Iran to reach Western markets, including Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.

Armenia is the 'main transit country' on the south-north route from India through Iran. However, due to its lack of sea access, Armenia depends on Georgia as a transit point. India's increasing involvement in Armenia's transit plans will strengthen its geopolitical interest in Georgia.

It is worth considering to what extent this aligns with Georgia's interests. India may attempt to differentiate its 'South-North' corridor through Iran and Armenia from the Middle Corridor, which already passes through Georgia, as well as the actively developing 'East-West' route. It is important to note that the Hay 'fifth column' in Georgia has been working to destabilize the country and support separatism for some time. As a result, the 'joint Armenian-Indian influence' on the internal situation in Georgia may increase.

George Kvinitadze