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Ayni Air Base in Tajikistan

India Withdraws from Ayni Air Base in Tajikistan

Analysis Date: November 01, 2025

Why in News?

India has withdrawn its military personnel and equipment from the Ayni Air Base in Tajikistan after nearly two decades of operation. The move came following the expiry of a bilateral lease agreement between India and Tajikistan in 2022, which was not renewed by the Tajik government.

Overview

  • Location: Ayni (Gissar Military Aerodrome), near Dushanbe, Tajikistan
  • Operational Since: 2002
  • India’s Role: Development, modernization, and joint operation with Tajikistan
  • Investment: Approximately USD 100 million
  • Developed By: Indian Air Force and Border Roads Organisation under the guidance of the Ministry of External Affairs

Base at a Glance

2002-2022
Operational Period
~$100M
Indian Investment
3,200m
Upgraded Runway

About Ayni Air Base

  • Originally a Soviet-era airfield, the Ayni base fell into disrepair after the USSR’s collapse.
  • Around 2001–2002, India decided to upgrade the base to establish its first overseas military facility.
  • India extended the runway to 3,200 metres, built refuelling, hangar, and repair infrastructure, and stationed around 200 Army and Air Force personnel.
  • Su-30MKI fighter jets and helicopters were temporarily deployed for strategic operations.
  • The base served both logistical and humanitarian roles, including during the 2021 evacuation of Indian nationals from Afghanistan.

Strategic Importance for India

  • Central Asian Presence: Provided India with a vital strategic foothold in Central Asia, a region dominated by Russia and influenced by China.
  • Afghanistan Access: Enabled contact with anti-Taliban forces and humanitarian aid delivery to Afghanistan before and after 2001.
  • Pakistan Leverage: The base’s location — just 20 km from the Wakhan Corridor near Pakistan-occupied Kashmir — gave India a geopolitical advantage for intelligence and deterrence.
  • Regional Influence: Strengthened India’s position in the Indo-Central Asian security network.

Key Strategic Roles

Central Asian Foothold

Strategic presence

Afghanistan Access

Humanitarian & logistics

Geopolitical Leverage

Intel & deterrence

Regional Influence

Security network

Withdrawal and Current Status

  • India’s lease on Ayni Air Base expired in 2022 and was not renewed by the Tajik authorities.
  • Following this, India fully vacated the facility and withdrew all military personnel and equipment.
  • The withdrawal marks the end of India’s first overseas defence outpost, which had served as a symbol of its strategic ambitions in Central Asia.

Significance

  • Ends India’s two-decade-long military presence in Tajikistan.
  • Reflects shifting geopolitical dynamics in Central Asia amid increasing Russian and Chinese influence.
  • Highlights the need for new strategic partnerships and military logistics routes in the region.
  • Marks a realignment of India’s foreign policy priorities focusing more on maritime and Indo-Pacific engagements.

Quick Facts

Name of Facility Ayni Air Base (Gissar Military Aerodrome)
Location Near Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Operated By India (with Tajikistan) from 2002 to 2022
Investment Approx. USD 100 million
Purpose Strategic military base for Central Asian access
Key Use Humanitarian missions, anti-Taliban coordination, regional deterrence
Reason for Withdrawal Non-renewal of lease agreement by Tajikistan
Strategic Significance Access to Central Asia, proximity to Afghanistan and PoK