DUSHANBE, March 1, 2012, Asia-Plus – An article entitled “India maintains strategic air base in Central Asia” and released by Zeenews.com on February 29 notes that India is in talks with Tajikistan to set up a military hospital in Tajikistan “even as it maintains an airbase in Ayni there, the country”s only such facility overseas.”
The article quoted Indian government sources as saying on February 29 that India has collaborated with Tajikistan to “reconstruct and recreate” the airbase which is strategically significant due to its location next to Afghanistan.
According to the article, reconstruction of the Ayni air base, some 20 kilometers west of Dushanbe, is part of the assistance program to Tajikistan.
“The nature of such facilities is reportedly significant due to its presence in oil-rich Central Asia. The facility also assumes significance in view of the presence major international players like the US, Russia and others in the region,” the article says, noting that there are two more air bases in the region which are manned by Americans and Russians.
The article notes that Indian Defense Minister Arakkaparambil Kurian Antony made a technical halt at the Ayni base on way to Russia.
We will recall that Antony had a short stopover in Dushanbe on his way to Moscow on October 3, 2011. Tajik Ministry of Defense said that at the Dushanbe airport, he was met by his Tajik counterpart Sherali Khairulloyev. The two reportedly discussed issues being of mutual interest, including the current situation in Afghanistan. They expressed interest in further expansion of military and technical cooperation between Tajikistan and India.
The article also notes that according to reports, India has spent 70 million U.S. dollars to upgrade the base, which was one of the major air hubs in the erstwhile USSR Central Command.
“The abandoned Soviet air base was modernized by India as part of aid to Tajikistan in building its armed forces.
“Sources said India is also discussing a proposal with Tajikistan to set up a military hospital there.”
