India calls on Azerbaijan to pull back forces and cease further provocation

Amid border tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday said India is closely following the situation and called upon the transgressing side to pull back forces and cease further provocation.

In an official statement, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has always stood for a peaceful resolution of bilateral disputes through political and diplomatic means.

"We have been following, with concern, the situation along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. Border incursions through military movements can destabilize the situation and lead to renewed hostilities. We call upon the transgressing side to pull back forces immediately and cease any further provocation," he said.

"India has always stood for peaceful resolution of bilateral disputes through political and diplomatic means. Peace and stability in the South Caucasus region is important from the regional security perspective," Bagchi added.