India and Armenia share a common cultural background starting from the second millennium. Although separated by thousands of miles, commercial interactions, shared communities and cultural and diplomatic ties between these two nations evolved with time. Therefore, the exchanges paved the way to closer relationships and created a bond between these two countries.
The lineages of India and Armenia’s cultural exchange date back to the visit of the Indian Princes Krishna and Ganesh along with their families in 149 BC. The families were allotted land in the Taron region (presently in Turkey). Such exchanges evolved the Armenian towns such as Dvin, Metsbin, and Artashat as centres for barter trade between India and Armenia, with precious stones, herbs, and dyes circulating in exchange. From the Holy Church of Nazareth in Kolkata to Gohar Jaan’s first classical song recording on gramophone is a case in point of the presence of the Armenian community’s historical connection with India. Currently, the remnants of Armenian communities are visible in towns such as Agra, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, with many cities hosting religious monuments, factories, and community centres.
Cultural and intellectual exchanges continue now as well. In recent years, tourism reflects the mutual interest in social engagement between India and Armenia. From 2020 to 2023, the number of Indian tourists who visited Armenia increased from 2920 to 34687, securing nearly twelvefold growth. The rise is also justified with the emergence of Armenia as an academic centre for Indian students and scholars.
In the present period, the Indian and Armenian universities have entered into agreements advancing academic and student exchanges. The same is evident in the case of the Ministry of External Affairs sponsoring teaching of Hindi in 3 organisations in Armenia, such as the Galik College, India-Armenia Friendship NGO, and the Russian-Armenian University.
In conclusion, the relations between the two countries go beyond the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1991. The instances of deeper cultural relations reflect the interconnection between societies expanding beyond the institutional networks of the two countries. Therefore, the historical connection expanding the people-to-people relations has the capability to serve as the guiding light of the current relations between the two countries.
Collaborative article by TheGeostrata and the Club of Young Political Scientists.
Author: Tigran Torosyan, Anirban Dutta
