India calls for immediate ceasefire, peace at border as Azerbaijan-Armenia fight rages

Amid intense fighting between forces from Azerbaijan and Armenia over disputed Nagor-Karabakh region, India on Thursday called for need to cease hostilities immediately and restore peace at border.

India is concerned over situation which threatens regional peace and security, Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. "We reiterate need for sides to cease hostilities immediately, keep restraint, and take all possible steps to maintain peace at border. India believes that any lasting resolution of conflict can only be achieved peacefully through diplomatic negotiations," MEA said.

New Delhi also expressed support to  Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group’s continued efforts for a peaceful resolution of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

two former Soviet states are in an armed stand-off for years over Nagor-Karabakh, a landlocked region in South Caucasus, and heavy clashes re-erupted on September 27, prompting fears of an all-out war. Nagor-Karabakh is internationally recognised as a part of Azerbaijan but it remains disputed because region is controlled by ethnic Armenians.

Azerbaijan has declared martial law in border areas and Armenia has declared it across country and mobilised its male population after situation escalated in disputed region. Armenia has even accused Turkey of meddling in conflict by sending thousands of mercenaries from Syria, a claim swiftly rejected by Ankara.

conflict broke away in early 1990s with tens of thousands dying in armed clashes and a Russian-brokered ceasefire, Bishkek Protocol, was signed in 1994. However, Bishkek Protocol has failed to turn into a tangible peace process since both sides have continued violating ceasefire on numerous occasion and latest clash could furr escalate tensions. A possible war could severely impact international markets because Nagor-Karabakh serves as a corridor for oil and gas pipelines from Caspian Sea to world markets.

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Putin, Macron call for immediate ceasefire

Earlier in day, Russian President Vlimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron also called for an immediate ceasefire between ethnic Armenian forces and Azerbaijan. official death toll in bloody armed conflict passed 100 and warring parties said that y would continue fighting.

Kremlin said in a statement that “sharp aggravation” in Nagor-Karabakh conflict was thoroughly discussed and leers expressed “serious concern” over ongoing large-scale hostilities. duo ted that re is alternative to political and diplomatic process to resolve crisis, expressing ir reiness to make a statement on behalf of co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France and United States.

“Vlimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron called on warring sides to halt fire completely and as soon as possible, de-escalate tensions and show maximum restraint,” Kremlin said.

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