In an article shared on X, Kumar stated that archaeological discoveries and historical records reveal centuries-old civilisational interactions between the two countries that existed long before modern geopolitical developments shaped bilateral relations.
Kumar's remarks come at a time when India-Azerbaijan relations have witnessed considerable challenges. Azerbaijan openly supported Pakistan during the India-Pakistan military conflict following the Pahalgam terror attack, triggering criticism in India. Travel platforms subsequently reported a significant rise in cancellations by Indian travellers visiting Azerbaijan, with many choosing to avoid travel to both Azerbaijan and Pakistan.
The diplomatic tensions increased further after Azerbaijan alleged that India had blocked its attempt to secure full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The allegation added another point of disagreement between the two countries.
The broader strategic environment has also influenced India's engagement with Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan maintains close defence relations with Pakistan and Turkey. In 2021, the three countries formalised their strategic partnership through the Baku Declaration, which focused on expanding cooperation in defence, intelligence, connectivity and economic sectors.
The three nations have also conducted the "Three Brothers" joint military exercises, demonstrating increasing military cooperation. The Baku Declaration reaffirmed mutual diplomatic support on issues related to territorial integrity, including Pakistan's position on Jammu and Kashmir, a matter closely observed by New Delhi.
I write on how the sacred symbol of #Swastika connects India and Azerbaijan across millennia https://t.co/DM7HXBv9pL pic.twitter.com/4KIrFeSo7c
— Amb. Abhay Kumar (@AmbassadorAbhay) July 15, 2026
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Against this backdrop, Kumar's article shifted focus towards historical connections between India and Azerbaijan. He highlighted Garajamirli in Azerbaijan's Shamkir district, where archaeological excavations have reportedly uncovered pottery and artefacts featuring Swastika motifs dating back to approximately the second millennium BCE.
According to Kumar, these discoveries place Azerbaijan within a broader Eurasian cultural framework where different civilisations used variations of the symbol throughout ancient history.
However, Kumar clarified that the findings do not suggest that all civilisations attached the same meaning to the Swastika or that the archaeological evidence represents a single continuous cultural tradition. Instead, he stated that the presence of similar symbols across Eurasia reflects how different communities used them to represent concepts associated with harmony, prosperity and continuity.Ateshgah Temple Reflects Documented Indian Connection
Kumar also highlighted the Ateshgah Fire Temple near Baku as a more direct historical connection between India and Azerbaijan. The temple served as a place of worship for Hindu and Sikh merchants and pilgrims between the 17th and 19th centuries.
The temple complex contains inscriptions in Devanagari and Gurmukhi scripts referring to Hindu deities, including Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva. These inscriptions provide evidence of Indian trading communities that travelled through Persia and Central Asia to reach the Caspian region.
Unlike the prehistoric Swastika motifs discovered at Garajamirli, Kumar noted that the symbol at Ateshgah represents a documented Indian religious tradition carried by merchants and pilgrims who established links across the region.
The article also explained that the term Swastika originates from the Sanskrit word "svastika", meaning well-being or good fortune. Kumar noted that the symbol continues to hold religious importance in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
Kumar further distinguished the ancient sacred symbol from its misuse by Nazi Germany during the 20th century, stating that the Nazi association represents only a brief period in the symbol's much longer historical journey.
Concluding his article, Kumar argued that the archaeological discoveries at Garajamirli, the Indian inscriptions at Ateshgah and the continued religious significance of the Swastika in India together demonstrate centuries of cultural interaction between India and Azerbaijan. His remarks underline New Delhi's effort to reconnect bilateral ties through shared historical narratives amid ongoing diplomatic challenges.
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