ISLAMABAD: In a surprise, it has emerged that Afghan Taliban may allowIndian consultants to access the iconic Bagram Air Base under the guise ofengineering teams for essential repair operations. This development marks apivotal shift in Afghanistan’s post-2021 landscape, where the former USstronghold, abandoned during the chaotic withdrawal, now emerges as a nexusof emerging partnerships.
The agreement comes on the heels of India’s recent forfeiture of itsmilitary outpost in Tajikistan, prompting New Delhi to seek alternativefootholds in Central Asia. Kabul’s acceptance of India’s proposal toreestablish a presence at Bagram underscores a thawing in bilateral ties,previously strained by the Taliban’s 2021 takeover. Diplomats note that theTaliban views this collaboration as a counterbalance to undue externalpressures, particularly from neighboring powers wary of Afghan instability.Repair works are slated to commence imminently, focusing on runwayenhancements and infrastructure bolstering to restore the base’soperational viability.
Further complicating the dynamics, India is quietly coordinating with theUnited States to illustrate the Taliban’s potential openness to a limitedfootprint at Bagram.
As these overtures unfold, Bagram’s revival symbolizes broader realignmentsin South Asia, where economic and security imperatives increasingly trumpideological divides. The base’s strategic location near Kabul positions itas a linchpin for future logistics and intelligence operations, potentiallyreshaping alliances in a volatile theater.
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Source:www.deccanherald.com/india/india-joins-russia-china-pakistan-others-in-opposing-us-bid-to-regain-control-of-bagram-air-base-in-afghanistan-3756252″>https://www.deccanherald.com/india/india-joins-russia-china-pakistan-others-in-opposing-us-bid-to-regain-control-of-bagram-air-base-in-afghanistan-3756252