India Blocks Azerbaijan SCO Bid: How Baku’s Loyalty to Pakistan During Operation Sindoor Hit Tourism and Diplomacy

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by

Himanshu
in

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has become a critical platform for strategic cooperation across Eurasia. However, recent developments have sparked controversy after India reportedly blocked Azerbaijan’s bid for full SCO membership, citing Baku’s close alignment with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. This move has not only deepened diplomatic rifts but also caused major economic and tourism setbacks for Azerbaijan.

Background: Azerbaijan’s SCO Aspirations

The SCO, dominated by powers like China, Russia, and India, has expanded over the years to include new members. Azerbaijan, which has been seeking full membership, hoped to leverage its strategic location and energy resources to become a permanent player within the bloc.

However, India’s objection became a stumbling block. New Delhi viewed Baku’s strong solidarity with Pakistan—especially during Operation Sindoor, a military action conducted by India in 2025—as a hostile move.

Why Did India Block Azerbaijan?

India’s resistance stems from multiple factors:

  • Support for Pakistan: Azerbaijan openly expressed condolences and solidarity with Islamabad during Operation Sindoor.
  • Diplomatic Messaging: India wanted to signal that aligning against its national security interests comes with consequences.
  • Strategic Leverage: Blocking Azerbaijan also balanced China’s push for Baku’s membership, with Russia tacitly siding with India.

Key Factors Behind India’s Move

FactorExplanation
Pakistan ConnectionAzerbaijan stood firmly with Pakistan after Operation Sindoor.
Geopolitical PressureIndia used its weight within the SCO to prevent an unfriendly power from gaining entry.
Russia’s RoleMoscow quietly supported New Delhi’s stance, despite China favoring Baku.
Security ConcernsIndia saw Azerbaijan’s alignment as a threat in regional stability debates.

Fallout: Tourism and Economic Backlash

One of the most visible consequences of this geopolitical tussle has been on tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

  • Indian travelers, once a rising segment in Azerbaijan’s tourism market, began canceling trips in large numbers.
  • Travel portals reported a 250% spike in cancellations to Azerbaijan and Turkey (another Pakistan ally).
  • Indian tourist arrivals, which had surged from just 4,800 in 2014 to over 240,000 in 2024, dropped sharply in mid-2025.

Impact on Indian Tourism in Azerbaijan

YearIndian Tourists Visiting AzerbaijanTrend
2014~4,800Minimal presence
2019~70,000Growing steadily
2024~243,600Peak tourist flow
2025 (Post-Sindoor)Significant drop (down by 60%+)Sharp decline

This decline represents a major financial loss for Azerbaijan’s tourism industry, given that Indians contributed nearly 10–11% of total arrivals in early 2025.

Diplomatic Strains and Regional Repercussions

The rift has not just been about tourism—it extends deep into diplomacy:

  • India’s Stand at SCO: By blocking Azerbaijan, New Delhi sent a strong message that loyalty to Pakistan would not be ignored.
  • China–Russia–India Dynamics: While China favored Azerbaijan’s membership, Russia sided with India, exposing internal SCO power struggles.
  • Travel Advisories: Indian travel associations advised avoiding Azerbaijan, further cementing the diplomatic chill.

What This Means for the Future

The India–Azerbaijan standoff highlights a crucial lesson in international relations: foreign policy alignments have direct economic costs.

  • For India, this was an opportunity to showcase its growing geopolitical assertiveness.
  • For Azerbaijan, its decision to side with Pakistan has led to a diplomatic setback, SCO rejection, and tourism losses.
  • For the SCO, this episode underscores the fractures within the bloc, as member states balance competing interests of China, Russia, and India.

Conclusion

Azerbaijan’s loyalty to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor may have earned it political goodwill in Islamabad, but the consequences have been steep. India’s decision to block its SCO bid has damaged Baku’s tourism industry, strained bilateral ties, and exposed the fragile balance of power within the Eurasian alliance.

For now, the message from New Delhi is clear: any nation choosing sides against India during critical moments must be ready to bear the diplomatic and economic fallout.