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Exclusive interview with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Armenia Yogeshwar Sangwan.

Panorama.am – Mr Ambassador, let me first thank you for accepting the invitation for the interview. India has a positive image in Armenia due to our historical ties. How would you assess our relations nowadays?

Ambassador – As you rightly said, Indian-Armenian relations have been deep and are millennia-old and currently, after Armenia’s independence also, the relation between India and Armenia have been excellent at the political, cultural levels and even in the economic level. There is further potential we need to explore.

Panorama.am –Speaking of the economic relations, can you name the economic spheres that need to be developed or have the potential to be developed?

Ambassador –So far, the economic potential between Armenia and India has not been fully tapped. As you know India is negotiating a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Union Armenia is a member to. This will give a boost to our economic relations once that agreement is signed. We are still exploring more avenues for expanding ties. The Armenian government has defined high tech areas as its priority. In his programme Prime Minister Pashinyan also said that within 5 years high technology will be the driver of the Armenian economy. These are the areas we are focused on to develop our relations.

Panorama.am –Are there any Indian companies operating in Armenia?
Ambassador – There are small companied not big ones with only one company - Kalpataru Power Transmission LTD operating in the transmission project.

Panorama.am – You may know about the new dynamics around the NK peace process. The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs visited the region What is India’s position on this?

Ambassador – We support the efforts of the OSCE Minks Group of settling the Nagorno Karabakh conflict which is also Armenia’s stance. We believe the issue should be solved through negotiations in a peaceful manner.

Panorama.am – This year you will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Nowadays, we witness wars and sufferings of people around the world. Do you think the doctrine of Gandhi is more relevant today than even and whether it should be propagated more?

Ambassador – Certainly, because Mahatma Gandhi believed that peace and non-violence which are very much relevant today as it was during his times. Yes, we are collaborating with the government of Armenia on celebrating the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Panorama.am –Are there any events planned in Armenia?

Ambassador –Many events are planned. We will be visiting the Mkhitar Sebastaci School for an event. Next Wednesday, we have an event in Zangak Publishing house. There will be a tree planting event in April organized with the Yerevan municipality. Also plans are discussed to place the statue of Mahatma Gandhi In Yerevan. Some of these plans are on paper, other are under discussions.

Panorama.am – Where will it be installed? Has the location been defined?

Ambassador – It is yet to be decided. It is just an idea which has been supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Panorama.am – Over the past years Armenia has turned into a popular destination for many Indians who arrive for studying and living. Do you have any statistics - how many Indians are residing in Armenia now?

Ambassador –There are about five thousand Indian students studying in five medical universities. Around 26 thousand Indians visited Armenia in the first nine months of 2018. The number is growing because Armenia eased the visa for Indians and many Indian tour operators are getting private companies to Armenia, organizing tours to places such as Tsakhkadzor, etc. Because of visa facilitation a lot of people are encouraged to come to Armenia, and this also is very beneficial for the economic and trade relations.

Panorama.am – Mr Ambassador, after the terrorist attack in Pulwama on February 14 which claimed lives f 40 police officers, tensions are high in Indian-Pakistani relations. What is your assessment on this situation and what can we expect next?

Ambassador – India has stated very clearly that Pakistan should stop supporting terrorists from its territory. Today, the UN Security Council passed a resolution condemning the terrorist attack in Pulwama and even mentioned the Jaish-e-Mohammed militant group which is based in Pakistan and is supported by the government of Pakistan. Their leader is based in Pakistan as well. Our approach that has always been is that Pakistan should stop supporting and aiding terrorist organisations in their territory, as they often use Pakistani territory to launch attacks on India. This is a big problem.

Panorama.am – As of 2018 statistics, Prime Minister Modi is the third most followed head of state on Twitter and the top most followed world leader on Facebook and Instagram. What is the secret of the popularity of your Prime Minister and what is your assessment of the role of social media in public life and particularly, in international relations?

Ambassador –I really don’t know what the reason for the popularity of Prime Minister Modi is. I can just make a guess that it is because of his personality, his character, his sincerity in dedicating his whole life to India’s development, the development of Indian people and for the development of the whole world. So, it is the combination of both he has selflessly dedicated his life to the people of India and to the people of the world. I think the people of India and the people of world feel this that is why he is popular.

Panorama.am – One of your predecessors spoke Armenian very well. Do you know any Armenian words or plan learning Armenian?

Ambassador – Every week we have an Armenian class in our Embassy. So, today also at 2 o’clock we have an Armenian class We have been learning since we came here. We know many words in Armenia even words that truck me like “yeraszhshtaget” “tntesaget” (ed. musician, economic).

Panorama.am – Mr Ambassador, can you mention any Armenia food that you like the most?

Ambassador –I am a vegetarian, so most of the Armenian dishes are non-vegetarian. But I have tasted “Jingyalov hats” and liked it much.

Panorama.am – What is your favorite place you visited in Armenia with a family?
Ambassador – My favorite place I visited with my family is Geghard monastery.

Panorama.am – Thank you much of this interview.

Interview by Anna Mkrtchyan