Congress party sharply criticized India’s closure of operations at Tajikistan’s Ayni airbase, labeling it a significant setback for the nation’s strategic diplomacy. In a pointed post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted that India established the airbase in the early 2000s, investing heavily in its infrastructure to strengthen its foothold in Central Asia. The Ayni base, located just 10 kilometers from Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe, was seen as a cornerstone of New Delhi’s ambitions to project influence in a region critical for energy and security dynamics, particularly given its proximity to Afghanistan and China.

Ramesh revealed that Tajikistan signaled India to begin withdrawing from Ayni four years ago, following the expiration of a bilateral agreement around 2021. The full closure, only recently confirmed, marks the end of India’s only overseas military facility, a loss Ramesh described as a clear blow to strategic outreach. Sources indicate that India completed the withdrawal of personnel and equipment in 2022, but the underlying reasons—reportedly linked to pressures from regional powers like Russia and China—have only now surfaced, raising questions about India’s ability to maintain a presence in geopolitically sensitive zones.

The Ayni airbase, initially upgraded with Indian investments in runways, fuel depots, and air traffic control systems, served as a vital asset for supporting the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan during the early 2000s. A decade ago, India briefly stationed Su-30MKI fighter jets and helicopters there, showcasing military reach. The base proved critical again in 2021, facilitating the evacuation of Indian nationals and officials from Afghanistan amid the Taliban’s swift takeover, underscoring its logistical importance during crises in the volatile region.

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Ramesh noted the irony of Ayni’s proximity to Dushanbe’s renowned museum, home to the 1,500-year-old Buddha of Nirvana statue, symbolizing deep historical ties between India and Central Asia that modern diplomacy failed to sustain. The closure, he argued, reflects a broader retreat from a region where India sought to counterbalance Pakistan and China’s growing influence, particularly through initiatives like the Chabahar port and connectivity corridors. The loss of Ayni, once a symbol of New Delhi’s bold regional aspirations, now fuels debates over whether India miscalculated its staying power.

As India exits Ayni, Congress contends that the move weakens its strategic posture at a time when Central Asia’s geopolitical stakes are rising. With Russia and China tightening their grip on the region, the base’s handover—reportedly to Russian forces—signals a shrinking Indian footprint. Analysts warn this could embolden rivals and hamper New Delhi’s efforts to secure energy routes and counter-terrorism goals, leaving the nation at a crossroads in redefining its Central Asian strategy.

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