Last month, it came to light that India no longer operates its erstwhile overseas airbase in Tajikistan that gave it a strategic heft in central Asia.

In 2022, India started quietly withdrawing its military personnel and equipment from the Ayni airbase in Tajikistan, which it had built and maintained for the last two decades.

Ayni was India’s only full-fledged overseas base, and its location offered India a military foothold in central Asia and leverage over Pakistan. Its presence projected influence in the region dominated by major powers like Russia and China.

Here’s all you need to know about this airbase and the impact of India’s withdrawal from there.

The Ayni airbase

It was a key airbase of India in a strategic location in Tajikistan, where India first deployed military personne

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