India Urges Calm As Armenia-Azerbaijan Tensions Flare-Up Again

Eurasian Times
May 20 2021


The Armenian Defense Ministry reported on Thursday a warning shooting incident at the border and explained that it was due to fire from the Azerbaijani armed forces.

“On May 20, an incident was recorded at the border section of the Gegharkunik Province with the participation of Azerbaijani servicemen who entered the territory of Armenia. At about 15:00 [11:00 GMT], several dozen shots were fired, presumably into the air, after which Armenian units opened warning fire,” the statement says.

According to the ministry, the commander of the Azerbaijani military established contact with the commander of Armenian units, asked for a ceasefire and said that the shots were accidental.

“The Armenian Armed Forces warn that the repetition of such incidents will be viewed as a deliberate attempt to go to confrontation and will lead to appropriate actions of the Armenian side,” the ministry said.

Earlier, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs called for the pullback of forces from the Armenian-Azerbaijani border on Wednesday as Yerevan has accused Baku of transgression.

“We have been following, with concern, the situation along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. Border incursions through military movements can destabilize the situation and lead to renewed hostilities. We call upon the transgressing side to pull back forces immediately and cease any further provocation,” ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said in a statement.

Bagchi said India considers the peace and stability in the South Caucasus important for the entire region and stands for the political resolution of any disputes.