India’s quiet withdrawal from the Ayni Airbase near Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in 2022 marked the end of its only overseas military deployment. For nearly two decades, this base had served as India’s northern strategic outpost, located close to the Wakhan Corridor — a geopolitically significant region linking Central and South Asia.
India’s presence at Ayni dates back to the 1990s, when Indian military personnel supported the Northern Alliance during its fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan. Originally built by the Soviet Union, the base was later renovated by India at a cost of around USD 80 million under a 2002 bilateral arrangement with Tajikistan. The Indian Air Force operated Sukhoi-30 MKI jets from Ayni and maintained around 200 personnel as part of its overseas deployment.
By 2022, India had completed its agreed term and formally handed the base back to Tajik authorities. Reports suggest that geopolitical pressure from Russia and China discouraged Dushanbe from extending India’s lease. Both countries viewed India’s growing military footprint in Central Asia with caution. Despite diplomatic efforts, India was unable to secure long-term operational rights due to the region’s sensitive geopolitical balance.
The withdrawal has reduced India’s strategic depth near Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor, a critical zone for regional trade and security bordering Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and China’s Xinjiang province. The exit also represents a missed opportunity to maintain direct influence in Central Asia and to serve as a counterbalance to the growing presence of China and Pakistan in the region.
Despite its exit from Ayni, India continues to expand its overseas defence partnerships. The construction of an airstrip and jetty at Agalega Island in collaboration with Mauritius strengthens India’s reach across the western Indian Ocean. Additionally, India maintains a training team in Bhutan to assist the Royal Bhutan Army and Royal Bodyguard, reinforcing its regional security ties.
In contrast, China has established a confirmed military base in Djibouti and may soon open another in Tajikistan. The United States continues to operate over a hundred overseas military installations, providing it with unmatched global reach and logistical capabilities.
India’s withdrawal from the Ayni Airbase highlights the limits of its defence diplomacy and the challenges of operating within a competitive geopolitical environment dominated by China and Russia. However, projects such as Agalega Island demonstrate India’s sustained ambition to enhance its strategic presence across the Indian Ocean and maintain visibility at key maritime and geopolitical chokepoints.
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