Baku — September 5, 2025
Former Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Tofig Zulfuqarov said India’s move to block Azerbaijan’s membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) ultimately benefited Baku, allowing the country to avoid alignment with a bloc he described as taking on an anti-Western character.
New Geopolitical Center Emerging in the East
Speaking in an interview to Apostrof Youtube channel, Zulfuqarov argued that the recent SCO summit in Beijing, combined with the military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II, symbolized a major shift in global decision-making.
“China, long an economic powerhouse without overt political ambitions, has now declared itself a leader of a new geopolitical center,” he said.
India’s “Gift” to Azerbaijan
While some observers saw New Delhi’s veto as a setback, Zulfuqarov insisted it gave Azerbaijan space to maneuver.
“India made us a gift. We avoided the fate of joining a bloc openly presented as anti-Western,” he said.
Instead, Azerbaijan can maintain its policy of “equal distance and equal closeness” to competing centers of power, engaging both East and West strictly on the basis of its national interests.
Fractured Ties With Russia
Turning to Moscow, Zulfuqarov said the downing of an AZAL passenger plane by Russian forces and the Kremlin’s subsequent refusal to assume political responsibility undermined the notion of a strategic partnership.
“Either you are an ally — or you are just like everyone else. Today Russia behaves like everyone else,” he said, citing attacks on Azerbaijani media, diaspora communities, and growing anti-Azerbaijani rhetoric in Russia.
Azerbaijan as Mediator Between East and West
Despite the rift with Moscow, Zulfuqarov maintained that Azerbaijan retains a unique role as a bridge between blocs.
“Our geography is our destiny. Azerbaijan must preserve its position as a mediator between East and West, balancing carefully between the two poles of global confrontation,” he said.
A Time for Reflection
Zulfuqarov concluded that India’s veto offered Baku valuable time to reassess its strategic course. “We should not rush. We have the opportunity to reflect, to weigh what both sides can offer, and to extract maximum benefit for Azerbaijan,” he said.
