Airliners-India

karatecatman · Guest

Russian turbulence for Indian airbase
By Sudha Ramachandran

Quotes
BANGALORE - It does seem that India will have to downsize its big-power dreams in Central Asia. Its plan to deploy aircraft at the base at Ayni in Tajikistan is facing opposition from an unexpected quarter - Russia.

Ayni, located 10 kilometers from the Tajik capital Dushanbe, was used by the Soviets during the 1980s to support their military operations in Afghanistan. Following their withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Soviets left Ayni and the base fell into a dilapidated condition.

The Russians, it seems, are pressuring the Tajiks to not only refuse India permission to deploy at Ayni but also deny it access to the base.
The Russian obstruction has come as a bit of a surprise to India, especially since Moscow had earlier given its nod. In fact, Russia, Tajikistan and India had also informally agreed they would share command and control over the base, holding it by rotation. India and Russia had also agreed to jointly maintain the base.

The Russian move was also aimed at putting pressure on India to decide in its favor in a host of big-ticket defense deals that are in the pipeline. India is expected to spend about $40 billion in the next few years to replace aging equipment and upgrade its military hardware and the Russians are anxious that India, which has in the past depended on Russia to meet its military needs, will now turn to the US, France and others.

Russian tantrums!

HAWK21M · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 9:58 pm Post subject:

I think a top level meet would solve these hiccups Smile

regds
MEL
_________________
Think of the Brighter side !!!

turbo jet · Member Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 101 Location: voml

Well the russians feel they are going to loose a very impt defence market , hence the SURPRISE move..

HAWK21M · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 1:10 pm Post subject:

Whats the update on this Base currently.
regds
MEL
_________________
Think of the Brighter side !!!