New Delhi, October 30 (UNI) Days after reports surfaced about India’s withdrawal from the strategic Ayni air base in Tajikistan, the Ministry of External Affairs today clarified that the move followed the expiry of a bilateral agreement between the two countries.
As per reports, the Ayni Air Base, the Indian Air Force’s first major military presence on foreign soil in Central Asia, was vacated by Indian personnel in 2022. The facility had long been viewed as a crucial strategic asset, providing India with enhanced reach and surveillance capabilities in the region, particularly in relation to Pakistan and China.
Situated in the mountainous region of Tajikistan, roughly 15 kilometres from the capital city Dushanbe, the base was renovated by India under a 2002 agreement. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) undertook extensive upgrades, including the construction of a 3,200-metre runway, reinforced hangars, fuel storage units, and advanced air traffic control systems — transforming Ayni into a fully operational air base capable of accommodating heavy transport aircraft and fighter jets including C-17s Globemaster. Reports indicate that although the shutdown of the base was not made public, Tajik authorities had, a few months ago, requested India to remove its assets and personnel from Ayni Air Base.
During a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the arrangement was in place for several years and was concluded in 2022. “We had a bilateral arrangement with Tajikistan for the rehabilitation and development of any aerodrome. This arrangement was in place for several years. After the conclusion of the agreement that we had with Tajikistan, we have handed over the facility to the Tajikistan side. This happened in 2022,” he said.
