Ayni Air Base
Encyclopedia
Ayni Air Force Base, also known as Gissar Air Base, is a military air base in Tajikistan
, just 10 km west of the capital Dushanbe
.
During the Cold War
era, Ayni served as a major military base of the Soviet Union
. However, following Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan
, the base's infrastructure deteriorated significantly. Between 2002 and 2010, India
spent nearly US$70 million to renovate the air base — the runway was extended to 3,200 meters and state-of-the-art navigational and air defense equipment were installed. It was speculated by some media outlets that India was keen on establishing a military base in Ayni so as to gain a strategic foothold in Central Asia
.
In January 2011, Tajik Foreign Minister, Hamrohan Zarifi, officially launched negotiations with Russia
to discuss possible deployment of Russian military at Ayni. Zarifi also ruled out deployment of Indian or American
forces at Ayni.
and is a tangible manifestation of India’s move to project its power in Central Asia, a policy goal formally enunciated in 2003–2004.
The potential implications of such moves would go far beyond the Indo-Pakistani rivalry on the subcontinent. That prompted Pakistan President
Pervez Musharraf
, to raise his concern to the Tajik government on the fact that Indian planes would be able to reach Pakistan within minutes. More importantly, Russia, main partner of Tajikistan, has also expressed its opposition to any military presence in Tajikistan except that of Russia.
Tajikistan
Tajikistan , officially the Republic of Tajikistan , is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. Afghanistan borders it to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east....
, just 10 km west of the capital Dushanbe
Dushanbe
-Economy:Coal, lead, and arsenic are mined nearby in the cities of Nurek and Kulob allowing for the industrialization of Dushanbe. The Nurek Dam, the world's highest as of 2008, generates 95% of Tajikistan's electricity, and another dam, the Roghun Dam, is planned on the Vakhsh River...
.
During the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
era, Ayni served as a major military base of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. However, following Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan
Soviet troop withdrawal from Afghanistan
The Withdrawal of Soviet combatant forces from the Afghanistan began on May 15, 1988 and successfully executed on February 15, 1989 under the leadership of Colonel-General Boris Gromov who also was the last Soviet general officer to walk from the Asfghanistan back into Soviet territory through the...
, the base's infrastructure deteriorated significantly. Between 2002 and 2010, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
spent nearly US$70 million to renovate the air base — the runway was extended to 3,200 meters and state-of-the-art navigational and air defense equipment were installed. It was speculated by some media outlets that India was keen on establishing a military base in Ayni so as to gain a strategic foothold in Central Asia
Central Asia
Central Asia is a core region of the Asian continent from the Caspian Sea in the west, China in the east, Afghanistan in the south, and Russia in the north...
.
In January 2011, Tajik Foreign Minister, Hamrohan Zarifi, officially launched negotiations with Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
to discuss possible deployment of Russian military at Ayni. Zarifi also ruled out deployment of Indian or American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
forces at Ayni.
History
Reports began circulating in early 2000s that India would establish air bases at Ayni and Farkhor in Tajikistan. Both Indian and Tajik officials issued immediate denials, but they did admit that India had been renovating the bases since 2002. When fully operational, the Indian base was expected to host 12 to 14 MiG-29 fighter bombers, according to various reports.Strategic location and geopolitical implications
The Indian military presence in Tajikistan would give India the required depth and range in seeking a larger role in South AsiaSouth Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
and is a tangible manifestation of India’s move to project its power in Central Asia, a policy goal formally enunciated in 2003–2004.
The potential implications of such moves would go far beyond the Indo-Pakistani rivalry on the subcontinent. That prompted Pakistan President
President of Pakistan
The President of Pakistan is the head of state, as well as figurehead, of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Recently passed an XVIII Amendment , Pakistan has a parliamentary democratic system of government. According to the Constitution, the President is chosen by the Electoral College to serve a...
Pervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf , is a retired four-star general who served as the 13th Chief of Army Staff and tenth President of Pakistan as well as tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Musharraf headed and led an administrative military government from October 1999 till August 2007. He ruled...
, to raise his concern to the Tajik government on the fact that Indian planes would be able to reach Pakistan within minutes. More importantly, Russia, main partner of Tajikistan, has also expressed its opposition to any military presence in Tajikistan except that of Russia.
See also
- Geostrategy in Central AsiaGeostrategy in Central AsiaCentral Asia has long been a geostrategic location because of its proximity to the interests of several great powers.-Strategic geography:...
- Farkhor Air BaseFarkhor Air BaseFarkhor Air Base is a Tajik military air base located near the town of Farkhor in Tajikistan, south east of the capital Dushanbe. It was expected to become an Indian military base situated in a foreign country and just 2 km from the Tajik-Afghan border....
, another Tajik military base which was renovated by India