India and France Accused of Pouring Fuel on Armenia's Nagorno-Karabakh Flames

A dramatic turn of events, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has launched a scathing accusation against India and France, alleging that the two nations are exacerbating tensions in the volatile Nagorno-Karabakh region by supplying weapons to Armenia. Aliyev, visibly angered, warned that such arms deliveries could potentially ignite a fresh conflict in the already tumultuous area, asserting that he had given advance warnings to all concerned parties.

Speaking passionately at a conference in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, President Aliyev directly pointed fingers at India and France, asserting, "Countries like France and India are adding fuel to the fire by supplying arms to Armenia. These countries are creating illusions in Armenia that, thanks to these weapons, they can reclaim Karabakh."

The backdrop to this accusatory outburst is the recent surge in weapons deals between Armenia and the accused nations. Two months ago, Armenia and France finalized a deal for three Thales Grand Master (GM) 200 radars and short-range surface-to-air missiles, escalating the already tense situation in the region. Simultaneously, India has reportedly provided Armenia with weapons amounting to nearly half a billion dollars, including the formidable Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher, anti-tank missiles, rockets, and ammunition.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, India is also in the process of delivering 155mm artillery guns to Armenia, with the first batches of equipment already completed. Speculation is rife that India might dispatch another round of weaponry to Armenia to counter what is perceived as Azerbaijan's aggressive posture.

Unsurprisingly, these weapons deliveries have triggered discomfort within the Azerbaijani establishment, which harbors fears of potential Armenian reprisals following their defeat and withdrawal from the Nagorno-Karabakh province.

The geopolitical chessboard is clearly evolving, with nations such as India and France finding themselves embroiled in the simmering tensions of a region haunted by historical conflicts. As the accusations fly and the rhetoric intensifies, the international community is left to ponder the implications of this escalating arms race on the fragile peace in Nagorno-Karabakh.

It remains to be seen whether the allegations made by President Aliyev will spark a diplomatic crisis or whether cooler heads will prevail, allowing for dialogue and negotiation to defuse the mounting tensions. In the meantime, the world watches with bated breath as the chess pieces move, and the geopolitical landscape in the South Caucasus undergoes yet another seismic shift.