Azerbaijan and India on Friday highlighted opportunities to develop bilateral cooperation amid an official visit by Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to the South Caucasus nation.

During his visit to Baku, the Azerbaijani capital, the first by an Indian foreign minister in eight years, Jaishankar was received by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and held a detailed exchange of views on the current state of bilateral relations.

“It was emphasized that there are ample opportunities for developing cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” according to a statement from the Azerbaijani presidency.

The two sides highlighted shared interests on several issues on the international agenda, including matters of concern to countries of the Global South, it added.

The prospects for developing bilateral cooperation in political, economic and trade, high-tech, cultural, humanitarian, and other spheres were discussed, it said.

“During the conversation, the importance of cooperation within the framework of international organizations was highlighted,” the statement further said.

Both sides underscored the need to intensify political contacts and facilitate mutual visits at various levels “as a means to further develop bilateral relations.

In a statement on US social media company X, Jaishankar said: “Pleased to call on @presidentaz Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan in Baku this morning ... Discussed strengthening the relationship between our two countries. Appreciate his positive sentiments for this shared endeavor." The visit comes after Aliyev and Modi held talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s latest summit in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek in September.