NEW JERSEY, JULY 18 - A report that the Indian military
intends to deploy MI-17 helicopters, Kiran training aircraft
and MiG-29 fighters to the Aini military base outside
Dushanbe, Tajikistan, is false, Russia's Regnum news
agency reported, citing unnamed Tajik Defense Ministry
sources.
The sources did not confirm reports that India has already
asked the Tajik Security Council for permission to airlift
military equipment to Aini.
The move, if true, could make India have its first military base
abroad. India is already involved in the rebuilding of the
military airfield, which is located 15kms from Dushanbe,
capital of Tajikistan.
The Times of India reported yesterday that New Delhi
intended to deploy a wing of MI-17 helicopters and Kiran
training aircraft in Aini and convert it into an AF base
eventually. According to the newspaper, it was to become
India's first military base abroad, one ensuring strategic
presence of India in the Central Asian region,
counterbalancing Chinese as well as Islamists growth in the
region, according to one India watcher.
The newspaper stated that the Indian Defense Ministry had
already approached the national Security Council for the
permission to airlift the military hardware and begin its
use in Tajikistan. Along with MI-17s and Kirans, New Delhi
hoped to deploy some MIG-29 fighters in Aini.
Sources in the Defense Ministry of Tajikistan did not
confirm these reports, according to Stratfor. Indian
specialists are refurbishing Aini but establishment of their
military base in Tajikistan has never even been discussed,
source said.
India's very close relationship with Dushanbe goes back to
the Afghan and the post-Afghan war periods, when India
supported militarily the Northern Alliance against the
Talibans backed by Pakistan.
The United States, India's new regional ally, as well as
Russia, its traditional ally - both look at it as a Regional
power with growth complimenting its ability to become a
World power sooner than expected, according to one analyst.
"In the scheme of things, having India out there to
counterbalance China and counteract Islamist extremists, is
in every body's interest".
India in 2001, signed an agreement with Tajikistan to
provide
training to its military personnel and
to participate in the rebuilding of its Aini military
airfield.
A year later, an Indian military delegation led by Air
Marshal Satish Jain, a senior commander of the Indian Air
Force, made a five-day visit to Dushanbe as a follow-up on the agreement.
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