Congress Slams India’s Exit from Tajikistan Airbase as a Strategic Setback

 The Congress on Saturday described India’s withdrawal from the Ayni airbase in Tajikistan as “yet another setback” to the country’s strategic diplomacy, calling it a blow to New Delhi’s regional influence.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said India had set up the Ayni airbase in the early 2000s and expanded its infrastructure substantially over the years. “Given its extraordinary location, India had major plans for expanding its presence at Ayni,” he said.

Mr. Ramesh noted that India was asked four years ago to scale down its presence and has now fully withdrawn. “It appears that India has finally shut down the base which was its only overseas military facility. This is, without doubt, yet another setback for our strategic diplomacy,” he remarked.

He also noted that the Ayni base, located about 10 km from Dushanbe, is near a museum that houses the 1,500-year-old Buddha of Nirvana — “one of the most remarkable exhibits” of the region.

Agreement lapsed

India’s presence at the Soviet-era Ayni base ended following the expiry of a bilateral agreement with Tajikistan, officials said. The pact, signed for the development and joint operation of the base, lapsed around four years ago.

India had upgraded the base by strengthening its runway, fuel depots, and air traffic control systems, and had at one stage deployed Su-30 MKI fighter jets and helicopters there. The facility was last used in 2021 to evacuate Indian nationals from Afghanistan after the Taliban’s takeover.

The closure marks the end of India’s only overseas military outpost — once seen as a key node in its Central Asian strategy.

The closure marks the end of India’s only overseas military outpost — once seen as a key node in its Central Asian strategy.  Agencies