Closure of only overseas airbase in Tajikistan a diplomatic setback: Congress

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Saturday criticised the Centre over reports that India had closed its only overseas airbase, the Ayni airbase in Tajikistan, calling it a “setback for strategic diplomacy”.

In a post on X, Ramesh said India had established the Ayni airbase in the early 2000s and later expanded its infrastructure, with major plans to strengthen its presence there due to the site’s “extraordinary location”. However, he added that about four years ago, India was asked to “gradually withdraw”, and it now appeared that the base had been completely shut down.

“This is, without doubt, yet another setback for our strategic diplomacy,” Ramesh said, taking aim at the Modi government’s handling of foreign policy.

Located around 10 kilometres from Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe, the Ayni airbase had been considered an important asset for India’s regional security and strategic reach in Central Asia. It was India’s only operational military facility abroad.

Ramesh also mentioned the country’s historical connection with Tajikistan, noting that Dushanbe houses a museum featuring the “Buddha of Nirvana”, believed to be over 1,500 years old.

India has concluded its operations at the Ayni airbase in Tajikistan after the expiry of a bilateral pact, according to people aware of the development.

The agreement between New Delhi and Dushanbe, which allowed joint development and use of the Soviet-era base, is believed to have lapsed around four years ago. India had played a key role in upgrading the facility by reinforcing its runway, fuel storage and air traffic control systems.

Although Indian personnel and equipment were withdrawn from the base near Dushanbe in 2022, the reasons behind the final shutdown have only recently come to light.

India’s presence at Ayni was viewed as a strategic move to deepen its footprint in Central Asia. Initially, the deployment was intended to assist the former Northern Alliance in Afghanistan. About a decade ago, the Indian Air Force had stationed Su-30MKI fighter aircraft and helicopters there for a brief period.

The base was also used in 2021 to evacuate Indian nationals and officials from Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul.