Story of India’s withdrawal from overseas airbase in Tajikistan 

Why in News ?

• India has withdrawn its military personnel and equipment from the Ayni airbase near Dushanbe, Tajikistan — its only overseas military base — after two decades of operation.
• This marks the end of India’s physical military presence in Central Asia, which had strategic implications for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China.

Relevance:

GS 2 – International Relations
• India–Central Asia strategic cooperation and geopolitical shifts
• Balancing influence vis-à-vis China and Russia
• Impact on India’s extended neighbourhood policy
• Bilateral relations with Tajikistan and regional security architecture

GS 3 – Defence & Security
• Strategic infrastructure and overseas military logistics
• Shift towards maritime security and Indo-Pacific focus
• Defence diplomacy, counterterrorism, and regional connectivity

Background: Development of the Base

• Origin: Built during the Soviet era, the base was in poor condition after the USSR’s collapse.
• India’s Involvement:
  • India began deploying military personnel in the late 1990s, assisting the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan against the Taliban.
  • In 2002, India signed an agreement with Tajikistan for joint use and invested ~$80 million in renovation.
  • Agencies Involved: Border Roads Organisation (BRO) handled infrastructure; Indian Air Force stationed personnel, including Su-30MKI jets.
• The base was used during humanitarian evacuations when Taliban regained control in 2021.

Strategic Significance of the Ayni Airbase

• Geographic location: ~20 km from Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor, which touches Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and China’s Xinjiang province.
• Resources & Access: Tajikistan is resource-rich (uranium, gas, gold) and offers access to Central Asia, making it critical for India’s regional outreach.
• Counterbalance: Provided India a strategic foothold near Afghanistan and counterweight to China–Pakistan axis in the region.

Reasons for Withdrawal

1. Reluctance of Tajikistan to renew the 2002agreement, reportedly due to:
   1. Increasing Chinese and Russian influence in Tajikistan.
   2. Tajikistan’s balancing act between India, China, and Russia.
2. Geopolitical Shifts:
   1. U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan (2021) reduced immediate need for proximity operations.
   2. Taliban’s return changed the regional security calculus.
3. Operational Constraints:
   1. Lack of permanent control; the base remained under Tajik authority.
   2. Logistical challenges in maintaining supplies and operations from India.
4. Cost and Strategic Recalibration:
   1. India may have prioritized naval expansion and maritime partnerships (e.g., Agalega, Mauritius) over continental bases.

Potential Impact

• Reduced Central Asian Footprint:
  Weakens India’s direct military presence in Central Asia, an area crucial for connectivity (INSTC, Chabahar) and counterterrorism coordination.
• Geopolitical Vacuum:
  Opens more space for China (Belt and Road, military bases) and Russia to strengthen influence.
• Loss of Strategic Leverage:
  Ayni had given India symbolic parity with major powers like the US and Russia, both having regional bases.

India’s Alternate Overseas Military Presence

• Agalega (Mauritius):
  India and Mauritius inaugurated an airstrip and jetty on the island; enhances surveillance over Western Indian Ocean.
• Other Facilities:
  • Bhutan: Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT).
  • Rashtriya Rifles and RBG (Royal Bodyguard) training in Bhutan.
  • Naval outreach through coastal radar chains and logistics agreements with friendly nations (e.g., France, Oman).

Broader Strategic Context

• China’s Expansion:
  • Has a military base in Djibouti and is reportedly exploring a base in Tajikistan (though unacknowledged).
  • Over 100 military facilities globally.
• India’s Strategic Shift:
  Moving focus from continental strategy (Afghanistan-Central Asia) to maritime strategy (Indian Ocean) — aligning with Indo-Pacific outlook.

Conclusion

• India’s withdrawal from the Ayni airbase marks a strategic retreat from Central Asia, reducing its direct military footprint in a geopolitically vital region bordering Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan.
• The move reflects Tajikistan’s growing alignment with Russia and China, limiting India’s operational autonomy despite its early investments and regional aspirations.
• It underscores a strategic shift in India’s defence posture — from seeking continental presence in Central Asia to strengthening maritime and Indo-Pacific partnerships for broader power projection.

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