In News:

India has formally concluded its operations at the Ayni Air Base (Gissar Military Aerodrome) in Tajikistan, ending a two-decade presence that began in 2002. The withdrawal followed the expiry of a bilateral agreement in 2022, after which Tajikistan chose not to renew the lease. Indian personnel and equipment were pulled out by early 2023.

About Ayni Air Base

• Location: Near Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
• Status: India’s first overseas military facility.
• Origins: A Soviet-era base that fell into disrepair after the USSR’s collapse.
• Indian Involvement:
  • India began modernising it in the early 2000s under a strategic arrangement with Tajikistan.
  • Approx. USD 100 million invested in runway extension, hangars, refuelling systems, and repair facilities.
  • Runway extended to 3,200 metres to support fighter aircraft operations.
  • Included temporary deployment of Su-30MKI jets and helicopters.
  • At times, ~200 Indian Army and IAF personnel were stationed at the site.

Withdrawal: Why Now?

• The bilateral agreement for joint operation expired in 2022 and was not renewed.
• Tajikistan reportedly faced pressure from Russia and China to avoid hosting non-regional military forces.
• After India's withdrawal, Russian forces have taken over operational control.
• The base’s strategic value reduced after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan (2021), which changed the regional security landscape.

Strategic Significance for India

1. Afghanistan & Anti-Taliban Engagement

• Initially helped India support the Northern Alliance against the Taliban.
• Geographic proximity enabled humanitarian and logistical access to Afghanistan.
• Used during August 2021 evacuations of Indian nationals following the Taliban’s return to power.

2. Leverage Against Pakistan

• Ayni lies ~20 km from the Wakhan Corridor, which borders Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
• Provided theoretical capability to monitor or target strategic locations such as Peshawar, giving India an indirect pressure point.

3. Presence in Central Asia

• Offered India a rare strategic foothold in a region traditionally influenced by Russia and increasingly by China.
• Served as a platform to expand defence, diplomatic, and economic engagement in Central Asia.

Consequences of India’s Exit

• Reduced Indian military reach in Central Asia.
• Greater Russian and Chinese influence over Tajik defence infrastructure.
• Limits India’s ability to operate in the region at a time of shifting geopolitics around Afghanistan and Eurasia.