Armenia and Pakistan have formally established diplomatic relations on August 31, 2025, marking a significant shift after decades of estrangement. The historic announcement was made by the Pakistani Foreign Office following a joint communiqué exchanged between Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The ceremony took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.
This development signals a new chapter in bilateral relations, with both ministers expressing a commitment to fostering cooperation across various sectors. Historically, Pakistan's engagement with Armenia was limited due to its strong support for Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, leading to Islamabad not recognizing Armenia as a sovereign state for many years. However, a recent peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan appears to have paved the way for this diplomatic thaw.
During their meeting in Tianjin, Mirzoyan and Dar affirmed their adherence to the principles and objectives of the United Nations Charter. They explored potential avenues for collaboration in areas such as economy, education, culture, and tourism. Both ministers also reaffirmed their dedication to working together in bilateral and multilateral forums to achieve shared goals of peace, progress, and prosperity for their respective peoples.
The international community has largely welcomed this move, recognizing its potential to enhance regional stability and foster greater cooperation. Analysts suggest that this policy recalibration by Pakistan in the South Caucasus could lead to reduced regional friction and open new opportunities for trade and connectivity. The establishment of these diplomatic ties underscores the evolving geopolitical landscape and the pursuit of peaceful coexistence, offering a pathway for mutual growth and understanding between Armenia and Pakistan.