Black Sea Corridor: India’s Eurasian Strategy to Counter China and Turkey?

India has gained a strategic partner in Armenia, which is supporting India’s initiative for a Black Sea Corridor that will be able to realign the regional balance in Central and West Asia. While China increases its reach into Azerbaijan and Georgia, Armenia is pinning its bets on India to put paid to this influence.

The suggested Black Sea Corridor would link India, Iran, Armenia, and Georgia, providing a new overland route to Europe without traversing hostile or fragile areas. This alliance has the potential to reshape India’s Eurasian aspirations.

Armenia: India’s Strongest Ally

India-Armenia relations have strengthened over the last ten years. India has become Armenia’s biggest arms supplier, pushing Russia in 2022. When India undertook Operation Sindhu to evacuate its citizens in the Iran-Israel conflict, it employed Armenia’s airspace and infrastructure, as Iranian and Pakistani corridors were cut off.

Armenia also supported India after the Pahalgam terror attack, backing India’s Operation Sindoor, where Indian troops attacked nine terror camps in Pakistan. Armenia’s participation in these missions, strategic analysts in Yerevan term a “clear demonstration of India-Armenia relations in action.”

Deterring the Pakistan-Azerbaijan-Turkey Axis

Armenia is steadfast in supporting India against the “three brothers” coalition — Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. Armenia, not recognized by Pakistan, has spoken out against Pakistan’s move in Kashmir. Meanwhile, Turkey and Azerbaijan have developed close ties with Pakistan militarily as well as diplomatically.

India’s increasing relationship with Cyprus and Greece, also supporting Armenia, is strengthening this strategic bloc in the region.

India Overtakes Russia, But Doesn’t Replace It

India has increased arms sales to Armenia, such as artillery units, air defense units like the Akash 1S, and NATO-standard 155mm howitzers. These assisted Armenia in upgrading its old Soviet-era machinery.

Although India has taken the volume from Russia, Armenia continues to look at Russia as its official security guarantor. Indian analysts encourage India to surpass defence commerce and sign a strategic partnership accord to advance collaboration.

Black Sea Corridor: India’s Reply to China’s BRI?

China has made significant investments in Azerbaijan and Georgia under the Belt and Road Initiative. Armenia, however, is shut out. Experts contend this provides a natural opening for India. The hypothetical Black Sea Corridor — connecting India, Iran, Armenia, and Georgia to Europe — provides New Delhi with a non-Turkey, non-Azerbaijan gateway to the West.

With the old routes cut off by the war in Ukraine, India now requires trusted alternatives. Armenia provides just that — a land bridge to Europe via friendly and stable allies. Not only does the corridor serve economic interests, but it also positions India as a counter to China in the Caucasus.

Strategic Moment for New Delhi

Armenian analysts have urged deeper military drills, foreign ministry cooperation, and planning for long-term infrastructure. A formal India-Armenia strategic agreement, they contend, is the natural follow-up.

If India acts now, the Black Sea Corridor can become more than a proposal and a geopolitical game-changer, opening new horizons for trade, defense, and diplomacy.