In recent weeks, a wave of speculation has swept across news and social media platforms regarding India’s airbase in Tajikistan. Numerous reports suggest that India has ended its presence at the Ayni Airbase, raising questions about whether New Delhi has completely withdrawn from the region.
So, what exactly happened? Did India truly abandon its strategic foothold in Central Asia, and if so, why? Let’s break down the facts, history, and geopolitical significance of India’s presence in Tajikistan.
Clarifying the Misconceptions
Several social media posts and online reports have also claimed that Afghanistan has handed over the Bagram Airbase to India, allegedly one of the largest and most expensive U.S. military installations in Asia.
Let’s make this clear upfront —
Afghanistan has not given the Bagram Airbase to India.
The base remains a U.S. strategic asset, and there is no official agreement transferring it to any other country.
Meanwhile, India’s actual air presence in Central Asia has historically centered around Tajikistan, particularly the Ayni Airbase and Farkhor Airbase — both of which played key roles in India’s regional security strategy.
India’s Airbases in Tajikistan: A Brief History
India’s engagement with Tajikistan dates back to the early 2000s. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan emerged as a newly independent state in 1991, and India quickly established strong diplomatic and defense ties with Dushanbe, its capital.
1. Ayni Airbase
The Ayni Airbase, near Dushanbe, was the more advanced of the two. Originally built during the Soviet era, it was later upgraded with Indian assistance, including new runways, air traffic control systems, and hangars capable of hosting Sukhoi fighter jets and helicopters.
Reports indicate that India withdrew from the Ayni Airbase in 2022, though it never maintained a large permanent military presence there. Instead, Indian Air Force personnel operated intermittently, primarily for training, maintenance, and regional cooperation missions.
2. Farkhor Airbase
The Farkhor Airbase, located near the Afghan border, remains dormant but not abandoned. Built with Indian help, it was historically used to support operations related to Afghanistan — including logistical and humanitarian missions during the early 2000s.
As of now, there is no official confirmation that India has withdrawn from Farkhor, suggesting that some level of cooperation still exists with the Tajik government.
Why Tajikistan Was Strategically Important for India
India’s interest in maintaining air access in Tajikistan has always been geostrategic.
- The country lies just north of Pakistan, separated only by the narrow Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan.
- Having a presence there allowed India to potentially monitor developments in Afghanistan and Pakistan from a northern vantage point.
- In theory, these bases could serve as forward operating locations in the event of regional conflict, providing valuable strategic depth for India’s defense operations.
However, full-scale deployment from these bases would have required explicit approval from the Tajik government, which retained sovereignty and control. India’s role was cooperative, not ownership-based.
The Current Reality: Strategic Pullback or Realignment?
India’s reported withdrawal from the Ayni Airbase in 2022 does not necessarily signal a retreat from Central Asia. Rather, it reflects a strategic recalibration in response to changing geopolitical dynamics — including:
- Increased Russian and Chinese influence in Central Asia
- The evolving security situation in Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrawal
- India’s growing Indo-Pacific defense commitments with the U.S., Japan, and Australia under the QUAD framework
It’s also important to note that India continues to maintain strong diplomatic, security, and economic relations with Tajikistan, focusing on intelligence sharing, training programs, and counterterrorism cooperation.
Geography and Proximity: Tajikistan Is Closer Than It Seems
Despite appearing distant on the map, Tajikistan is geographically very close to India. If Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) were restored to India, the two nations would effectively share a land border through the Wakhan Corridor.
This proximity underscores why Tajikistan remains strategically valuable for India — not just for defense, but also for connectivity and energy security in Central Asia.
Conclusion
So, did India abandon its airbase in Tajikistan?
The answer is nuanced.
Yes, India withdrew from the Ayni Airbase in 2022, but the Farkhor Airbase still remains, at least on paper, as part of India’s broader defense cooperation with Tajikistan.
This move appears less like a full withdrawal and more like a strategic realignment — aligning India’s military focus toward the Indo-Pacific while keeping its Central Asian partnerships intact.
In short, India hasn’t left Central Asia; it’s simply changing how it operates there.