Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Nov 1: The Congress on Saturday termed India’s decision to conclude operations at the Ayni airbase in Tajikistan as “yet another setback” for the country’s strategic diplomacy, marking the end of India’s only overseas military facility.
Taking to social media platform X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that India had established the Ayni airbase in the early 2000s and gradually expanded its infrastructure over the years. “Given its strategic location, India had ambitious plans to expand its presence at Ayni,” he stated.
He further remarked, “However, four years ago, India was given a clear message that it must gradually withdraw. It now appears that India has finally closed the base, which was its only overseas military facility. This is, without doubt, yet another setback for our strategic diplomacy.”
Ayni airbase, located about 10 km from Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, has long been seen as a cornerstone of India’s efforts to project influence in Central Asia. Ramesh also noted that Dushanbe houses a museum featuring the Buddha of Nirvana, a 1,500-year-old artifact that reflects the region’s deep cultural history.
According to sources, India wrapped up its activities at the strategically important Ayni base following the expiry of a bilateral agreement with Tajikistan. The pact, signed for the development and joint operation of the airbase, reportedly lapsed around four years ago.
India had played a key role in upgrading the Soviet-era facility strengthening its runway, fuel depots, and air traffic control systems. While Indian personnel and equipment were withdrawn from the base in 2022, the full reasons for the complete winding down have only recently emerged.
The Ayni airbase was a crucial element of India’s outreach to Central Asia and Afghanistan. Initially, New Delhi used it to support the Northern Alliance during the conflict in Afghanistan. About a decade ago, the Indian Air Force even deployed Su-30MKI fighter jets and helicopters at the base on a temporary basis.
In 2021, the Ayni base again played a vital role when India used it to facilitate the evacuation of its citizens and officials from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover.
With the closure of operations at Ayni, India’s strategic footprint in Central Asia has diminished, sparking debate among analysts and political circles about the long-term direction of its regional diplomacy.