India withdraws from Tajikistan airbase after deal and utility ends

India withdrew from the Ayni airbase in Tajikistan after a bilateral agreement on stationing Indian personnel at the location ended in 2022 and its utility too expired, given the collapse of the northern alliance in Afghanistan and the complete takeover by the Taliban.

The Ayni base had a detachment of IAF helicopters, a repair facility and maintenance equipment. It was largely used by India in the past when the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan was relevant and served as a key logistics hub.

However, with the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, the utility of the base diminished and the agreement to operate it was no longer extended, sources said. Russian forces have since taken over the base, they added.


"Indian forces were present there as per a bilateral agreement. This finished in 2021-22 and since then Indian assets have not been there," people familiar with the matter said. Sources added complete withdrawal of all infrastructure and personnel was completed by early 2023. They said India still has a presence in the region.

The airbase was never used for combat missions and was mostly a logistics base, with no permanent presence of fighter aircraft. India had stationed Mi17 helicopters there that also assisted Tajikistan forces.

In 1998, India had set up its first base in Tajikistan at Farkhor, which had an airstrip. The deployment consisted of helicopters, a repair unit for choppers, an armament repair depot and a military hospital. The hospital helped in the treatment of Afghan warriors from the Northern Alliance. However, the Farkhor base was shut down around 2008 and the base at Ayni was established.