#armenia

Turkey Sees Hormuz Strait Crisis as Opportunity to Promote Middle Corridor as Alternative Route The Turkish government has positioned itself as a key player in addressing the ongoing crisis at the Strait of Hormuz, leveraging the situation to push forward its Middle Corridor initiative as a viable alternative to the critical maritime route. The strait, a vital artery for global energy and trade, has faced disruptions due to tensions between Iran and the United States, prompting Turkey to emphasize its strategic role in developing a land-based trade corridor. The Middle Corridor, a proposed overland route connecting Europe and Asia, has gained traction as a potential solution to the vulnerabilities of the Hormuz Strait. Turkey has been actively working on this project for years, with recent efforts focused on reopening the Alikan border crossing between Turkey and Armenia. This crossing, which has been closed for 32 years, is seen as a critical link in establishing a secure and efficient trade route. Officials have begun installing necessary infrastructure to facilitate passport processing at the border, signaling progress toward its eventual reopening. The initiative has garnered support from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has endorsed the project as part of his broader peace plans for Armenia and Azerbaijan under the TRIPP (Trans-Caucasian International Transport Corridor) framework. This project aims to connect Turkey and Azerbaijan through Armenia, creating a trade route that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal. The corridor is expected to significantly reduce transit times, cutting shipping durations from around 40 days to 12-15 days.#turkey #strait_of_hormuz #armenia #recep_tayyip_erdogan #middle_corridor

Army to Get First Batch of Extended Range Pinaka Rockets The Indian Army is set to receive its first batch of extended-range Pinaka rockets from Nagpur-based Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) on Thursday. A successful proof test of the rockets—capable of striking targets up to 45 kilometers—was conducted on Wednesday, clearing the way for delivery. The proof test involved quality checks on randomly selected samples from the production lot before final induction. Extensive user trials have already been completed, marking the first induction of the extended-range variant into the Indian Army. Existing Pinaka variants have a strike range of under 40 kilometers. Both SDAL and Munitions India Limited (MIL) have secured orders to supply these upgraded systems, with proof tests for MIL’s batch scheduled later this month. Indian manufacturers are already exporting guided variants of the Pinaka rocket, which can strike targets beyond 70 kilometers, to Armenia. These versions are more advanced than the domestic variant being inducted. However, ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran have disrupted deliveries. Indian firms began supplying these systems to Armenia even before their domestic induction. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has complicated logistics, as the primary supply route through Iran has become increasingly uncertain due to the evolving geopolitical situation. As a result, shipments are currently held up in India, awaiting clearance for export. Sources indicated that the last deliveries may have been dispatched in February. The Pinaka rocket system was developed from the Russian Smerch system and was indigenized in 2009. Initially produced by ordnance factories, SDAL has since become the first private sector company to manufacture the system.#indian_army #armenia #solar_defence_and_aerospace_limited #munitions_india_limited #pinaka_rocket

Armenia, Georgia Forge Power Grid Connection The Armenian government has approved a grant agreement for the Caucasus Power Grid EU NPF Phase II project with the Reconstruction Loan Bank, as revealed during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday. The initiative aims to link the power systems of Armenia and Georgia through a high-voltage direct current converter station. This station, with a final capacity of 1050 MW, will be located near the Georgian border in Ayrum, according to reports from Armenian media. The project will connect the two countries on the Georgian side via a 500 kV overhead line from the substation in Marneuli, while the Armenian side will use a 400 kV overhead line from the 400/220 kV substation in Ddmashen. This connection is expected to increase the electricity exchange capacity between Armenia and Georgia from the current 200 MW to 350 MW in the first phase. Subsequently, the capacity could be expanded to 1050 MW, depending on the demand of the regional market. The construction of new overhead power lines is projected to enhance the quality of energy services, foster regional cooperation in the energy sector, and create conditions for integrating the power systems of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. The total budget allocated for the project, excluding taxes, is 188.75 million euros. However, the updated estimated cost, provided by a consultant in November 2024, amounts to 542.75 million euros. The project is part of broader efforts to strengthen energy infrastructure in the South Caucasus region, aiming to improve reliability and efficiency in power distribution. By linking the two countries’ grids, the initiative could also support regional energy security and reduce dependency on external suppliers.#georgia #armenia #reconstruction_loan_bank #caucasus_power_grid_eu_npf_phase_ii #ayrum

ईरान के तीन जहाज हिंद महासागर में थे, एक को हमने शरण दी राज्यसभा में विदेश मंत्री एस जयशंकर ने पश्चिम एशिया के हालात पर चिंता जताई विदेश मंत्री एस जयशंकर ने राज्यसभा में बताया कि हिंद महासागर में ईरान के तीन जहाज थे, जिसमें से एक को ईरान के निवेदन पर शरण दी गई। उन्होंने कहा कि ईरान के विदेश मंत्री से 28 फरवरी और पांच मार्च को बात की गई। ईरान के तीन जहाज हिंद महासागर में थे, जिसमें से एक को डॉकिंग की परमिशन दी गई। जयशंकर ने कहा कि ईरान में बिजनेस के सिलसिले में आए इंडियन नागरिकों को आर्मेनिया पार करके इंडिया लौटने में मदद की गई। तेहरान में हमारी एंबेसी पूरी तरह चालू है और हाई अलर्ट पर है। जयशंकर ने कहा कि भारत के लिए चल रहे झगड़े की गहरी चिंता है। उन्होंने बताया कि खाड़ी देशों में एक करोड़ भारतीय रहते हैं और काम करते हैं। ईरान में भी कुछ हजार भारतीय पढ़ाई या नौकरी के लिए मौजूद हैं। उन्होंने कहा कि इलाके में सुरक्षा की स्थिति काफी खराब हो गई है और झगड़ा दूसरे देशों में भी फैल गया है। आम जिंदगी और काम-काज पर साफ असर पड़ रहा है। उन्होंने बताया कि भारत के लिए वेस्ट एशिया में स्थिरता बनाए रखना ज़िम्मेदारी है। उन्होंने कहा कि तेल और गैस के कई ज़रूरी सप्लायर इस इलाके में शामिल हैं। सप्लाई चेन में गंभीर रुकावटें और अस्थिरता का माहौल गंभीर मुद्दे हैं। जयशंकर ने कहा कि झगड़ा लगातार बढ़ता जा रहा है और इलाके में तबाही बढ़ रही है। भारत की सरकार ने 20 फरवरी को एक बयान जारी कर गहरी चिंता जताई थी और सभी पक्षों से संयम बरतने की अपील की थी। उन्होंने आगे कहा कि तनाव कम करने के लिए बातचीत और डिप्लोमेसी जारी रखनी चाहिए। प्रधानमंत्री नए डेवलपमेंट पर करीब से नजर रख रहे हैं और संबंधित मंत्रालय असरदार जवाब देने के लिए कोऑर्डिनेट कर रहे हैं। यह भी पढ़ें: ईराक में इरबिल शहर पर हमला, अमेरिकी बेस के पास ईरान का अटैक#iran #india #foreign_minister #rajya_sabha #armenia

Armenia and Azerbaijan have received a total of approximately 1,500 evacuees from Iran, according to reports from pro-government media outlets and international news agencies. Azerbaijan, which has maintained a closed land border with Iran since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, reportedly received just under 1,200 individuals. Among these evacuees, only four were identified as Iranian nationals, while the majority were foreign citizens, including 361 Chinese, 246 Russian, and at least 99 Tajik nationals. Additionally, 224 of the evacuees were Azerbaijani citizens. A separate report from Azerbaijan’s state media noted that 21 additional people were evacuated via the Astara border crossing with Iran on Wednesday, including individuals from Tajikistan, Pakistan, China, and France. The closure of Azerbaijan’s land border, which has been extended multiple times since the pandemic, has been cited as a reason for the limited movement of people through the region. Armenia, meanwhile, received 400 evacuees from Iran between Monday and Tuesday, with 300 of them being Iranian nationals. According to Russian state-owned news agency Sputnik, the evacuees were fleeing Iran through the Meghri border checkpoint, which has been a key route for cross-border movement. Sputnik also highlighted that Iran’s airspace remains closed, prompting many to seek alternative routes for evacuation. Neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan has officially disclosed the number of border crossings from Iran since the conflict with Israel and the United States escalated in late February. The situation has raised questions about the humanitarian impact of the ongoing tensions, as civilians continue to move across borders in search of safety or to return to their home countries.#iran #armenia #azerbaijan #meghri_border_checkpoint #astara_border_crossing