Amidst escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, a little-known but strategically significant airbase in Tajikistan has emerged as a key factor, potentially altering the strategic calculus in the region. The Ayni airbase, located near Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, is India's first overseas military base and its presence there is reportedly causing considerable concern in Pakistan.
India has maintained a military presence in Tajikistan for nearly three decades. In the 1990s, India operated a military hospital in Farkhor, close to the Afghanistan border, supporting the Northern Alliance during the Afghan civil war. Following the 9/11 attacks, India invested an estimated $100 million to develop the Ayni airbase, extending the airstrip to 3,200 meters, constructing hangars, and establishing overhauling and refueling capabilities. Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa, who played a key role in setting up the base, was appointed the first Base Commander of the 'operational' GMA around the end of 2005.
The Ayni airbase provides India with a strategic advantage, particularly in light of recent events. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, which heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi granted the Indian military full operational freedom to respond. Reports suggest that India could use the Ayni airbase for intelligence, reconnaissance, and even combat missions, potentially bypassing Pakistan's heavily defended eastern border. The base's proximity to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), less than 600 km away, and the city of Peshawar, approximately 500 km away, allows India to launch operations without crossing the Line of Control (LoC) or the International Border (IB).
Moreover, the presence of the Ayni airbase allows Indian aircraft to potentially enter Pakistani-administered Kashmir via the Wakhan Corridor, a sparsely monitored region between Pakistan and southern Tajikistan. While direct strikes from the base could be diplomatically sensitive, its mere existence has reportedly compelled the Pakistan Air Force to operationalize its Saidu Sharif Swat and Skardu airbases. Some reports also indicate that India has temporarily deployed Su-30MKI fighter jets, armed with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, at the base, further extending its strategic reach.
The airbase has also proven useful in international operations. During the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, India used the Ayni airbase to evacuate its citizens from Kabul, operating C-17 and C-130J transport aircraft from the base. An Indian C-130J aircraft airlifted 87 Indians from Kabul and landed in Tajikistan.
The establishment of the Ayni airbase reflects India's growing strategic reach in Central Asia and its efforts to counter Pakistan-supported elements in the region. Although the base requires Russia's approval for operational use, it provides India with a valuable asset for intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and potential combat operations. The airbase not only enhances India's ability to respond to threats but also forces Pakistan to recalibrate its defense strategy and redistribute its air defense systems. This shift in strategic dynamics underscores the significance of the Ayni airbase as a factor contributing to Pakistan's heightened security concerns.
