India wraps up operations at Tajikistan's Ayni Airbase after over 20 years of strategic presence

India wraps up operations at Tajikistan's Ayni Airbase after over 20 years of strategic presence

India has vacated the Ayni airbase in Tajikistan, marking the end of its nearly 25-year strategic presence from a location close to Pakistan. Although India had proposed deploying Sukhoi fighter jets to sustain its presence, the plan could not be finalised with Tajikistan. The Ayni Airbase historically has been an important centre for Indian military operations in the region. India began developing strategic military cooperation with Tajikistan …

India wraps up presence at Tajikistan's Ayni airbase

New Delhi, Oct 29 (PTI) India has wrapped up its operation at a strategic air base in Tajikistan's Ayni following the lapse of a bilateral agreement, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.The agreement between the Indian and Tajik governments for the development and joint operation of the airbase ended about four years ago, they said.India was involved in development of the Soviet-era airbase including strengthening its runway fuel d…