India’s Strategic Pivot: Withdrawing from Ayni, Eyes on Bagram?

India’s recent withdrawal from the Ayni air base in Tajikistan marks a significant recalibration of its Central Asian security posture. Officially attributed to cost and logistical concerns, the decision has fueled speculation about broader strategic shifts, with rumors swirling about India’s potential interest in securing access to Afghanistan’s Bagram air base. Analysts note that such moves could enable India to monitor regional security threats more effectively, especially amid the evolving China-Pakistan-Afghanistan nexus. While government sources neither confirm nor deny active negotiations over Bagram, the episode underscores India’s pragmatic flexibility in responding to dynamic geopolitical realities and securing its interests in the region.