Ayni Air Base

The Ayni Air Base is a strategic military facility located in Tajikistan, just west of the capital, Dushanbe. India has operated and developed the base since 2002, making it India’s first overseas military facility.

Development and Modernization

Soviet-Era Facility: The base was originally a neglected Soviet-era airbase before India undertook its modernization.
Indian Investment: India invested close to $100 million to upgrade the infrastructure, including the extension of the runway to 3,200 meters. This expansion allowed for the accommodation of larger aircraft.
Upgrades: Facilities for refuelling, repairs, and hangars were improved, making it operationally effective for both military and humanitarian purposes.

India’s Role at Ayni Air Base

Military Presence: At various times, India stationed about 200 personnel from the Indian Army and Air Force at the base. India also temporarily deployed its Su-30MKI fighter jets and helicopters to the base, especially around the 2010s.
Humanitarian Operations: The base played a critical role in humanitarian aid missions to Afghanistan, especially post-2001, and was used for evacuating Indian nationals after the Taliban’s 2021 takeover of Afghanistan.
Strategic Location: Ayni’s proximity to the Wakhan Corridor (a narrow strip of land between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, which borders Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)) gave India unique strategic leverage. From this base, India could potentially target key Pakistani cities, such as Peshawar, if needed.

Withdrawal from Ayni Air Base

Agreement Ends: India officially withdrew its operations from Ayni Air Base after the bilateral agreement that allowed India to station personnel there ended in 2022.

Strategic Importance for India

Geopolitical Advantage: Ayni provided India with an important foothold in Central Asia, a region traditionally influenced by Russia and increasingly by China.
Counter-Terrorism Operations: Before the 2001 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, the base served as an essential point of contact with anti-Taliban forces in Afghanistan, positioning India as an important player in the region’s security dynamics.
Evacuation from Afghanistan: In August 2021, during the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, India used Ayni Air Base to evacuate its nationals and diplomatic personnel, underscoring the base’s significance in India’s evacuation operations.

Conclusion

The Ayni Air Base was an important element of India’s strategic reach in Central Asia and its engagement with Afghanistan. The base helped India maintain a presence in a region of critical geopolitical importance.

Source: THE HINDU

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