India's recent withdrawal from the Ayni airbase in Tajikistan has been described by Congress leaders as a significant setback for the country's strategic diplomacy. The Ayni airbase, established in the early 2000s, was India's only overseas military facility and had seen substantial infrastructure development over the years. The closure comes after the expiration of a bilateral agreement with Tajikistan, which had allowed India to maintain its presence at the base. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted the strategic importance of the location, noting that it was once a key component of India's Central Asian strategy. The facility had been used for various operations, including the evacuation of Indian nationals from Afghanistan in 2021. The loss of the Ayni base raises questions about India's influence in the region and its ability to project power in Central Asia.