The world witnessed a dramatic shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics on February 28th (Saturday). In a meticulously planned and precise operation, Israel, supported by the United States, eliminated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other high-ranking officials. The aftermath was swift and volatile. Enraged by the loss, the Islamic Republic launched a barrage of attacks aimed at the military facilities of the Western power dispersed throughout the region in retaliatory strikes.

These rising tensions have cast a bright spotlight on the extensive network of American bases in the Middle East. These installations are intended to protect its interests and reinforce its dominance. However, the United States is not alone in this strategy. Other nations have also created a similar presence in multiple parts of the world to safeguard their strategic and national interests, deter foes, secure global trade routes, and even project power by engaging in expeditionary warfare to have an impact on international events.

Depending on their size and infrastructure, these bases serve various roles. They might serve as staging sites or offer logistical, communications, and intelligence support. Throughout modern history, world powers have set up these buildings abroad as a result of numerous conflicts to facilitate their military and political goals.

There is a fascinating irony in international relations: the only shared aspect between a friend and an enemy is their proximity to you. Therefore, these installations are essential not just for providing assistance to alliances but also for countering the latter and are constructed as part of diplomatic and defence ties for a strategic edge over a geographic area.

Expanding the Horizon: India’s Strategic Web

India has followed a similar path, forming a web of military complexes in friendly states through strategic partnerships to expand its military capabilities and challenge its rivals. These outposts serve a dual purpose: they are employed to train and equip the hosts in addition to using them for their own benefit. As a result, both parties have benefited greatly from them.

Central Asia: The Tajikistan Connection

India’s first step into global military presence began in Tajikistan. "Farkhor Air Base was India’s first global military presence. It was built between the late 1990s and early 2000s and situated 130 kilometres southeast of Dushanbe, close to the Afghan border. It had a military hospital that catered to Afghan Northern Alliance fighters, a repair unit, and even helicopters. It functioned as a vital and strategic logistics hub that supported the alliance and kept an eye on regional security."

The location provided India with a unique vantage point. "India had access to Central Asia and strategic influence over Pakistan due to its proximity (about 20 kilometres) to Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor. Pervez Musharraf, then president of Pakistan, had expressed concerns to the Tajik government in 2003, voicing that Indian planes could reach his country in a matter of minutes via the base."

Evolution in the region led to the transition from Farkhor to the Ayni base in 2008. While it saw no permanent fighter aircraft stationed and was never utilised for combat operations, India placed Mi17 helicopters there to support Tajikistani forces. Reports suggest a deepening of this bond over the years: "According to other reports, it had begun using a small number of Su-30MKI since 2014. The Indian Air Force and the Tajik Air Force operated the facility together. Notably, India utilised both military and civilian aircraft to evacuate citizens and officials from Afghanistan during the fall of Kabul in 2021. However, India withdrew from it last year and ceased its active engagement."

The Indian Ocean: Mauritius and Seychelles

Moving south into the Indian Ocean, India has focused heavily on maritime surveillance. In Mauritius, India has erected 8 coastal surveillance radar systems, including on North Agalega Island. "The island, which is in the Indian Ocean, had been leased to the Indian Army for the development of strategic assets as part of the Indo-Mauritius Military Cooperation. It currently functions as an outpost for India. The bases are under construction on the Agalega Island."

The infrastructure on Agalega is significant. "It has a radar system for coastal monitoring, as well as an extended runway for aircraft. It helps the rapid detection of ship movements in the ocean. This has strengthened India’s cooperation with Mauritius and its marine security." This is part of a larger vision where New Delhi is always making investments to improve its operational skills. The Integrated Coastal Surveillance System (ICSS) is a coastal surveillance system that swiftly finds out, locates and observes marine activity in the Indian Ocean to protect its coastline, maintain regional security and support allied fleets.

Similarly, in the Seychelles, a 2015 agreement paved the way for a joint military installation on Assumption Island. "It is primarily aimed at thwarting Beijing’s String of Pearls strategy. A coast surveillance radar system constructed with help from New Delhi went into service a year later. The Seychelles has four other ICSS in addition to the two on the principal island. India gave Seychelles a Dornier aircraft and a $100 million credit line."

Guardians of the Gulf: Oman and Iran

Oman holds a special place in India's West Asian strategy, being the first Gulf country to officially forge defence connections with India. India maintains four military establishments there: one air base and three naval bases. Notably, "There is an Indian listening station at Ras al Hadd. These stations are set close to enemy lines to use sound to detect movement and intercept important electronic communications."

India also enjoys berthing privileges at the naval vessel in Muscat, meaning they have unrestricted access to the facilities and authority to enter and exit. In the port town of Duqm, which sits on the Arabian Sea, India announced the presence of an air force and naval base in February 2018. "The INS (Indian Naval Ship) Mumbai had earlier used the area as a port. Omar ports are used by the Indian Navy to combat piracy in the Gulf of Aden."

In Iran, the focus is on the Chabahar Port. While not strictly a military base, India assumed control in December 2018 following a $2 billion rail cooperation agreement. "The port isn’t really a military installation, but it gives India the required shipping and logistical accessibility. It enables New Delhi to deliver products to Afghanistan and Central Asia without passing through Pakistan. Hence, the Indian government regularly contributes to the port’s construction and upkeep."

Regional Safety Nets: Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar

The Maldives sought India's help in 2009 due to fears of terrorism targeting its island resorts. Today, the Indian Navy runs 10 Coastal Surveillance Radar (CSR) stations there. "The Indian Coastal Radar System has been connected with the Maldivian Coastal Radar Range. A central control room in India’s Coastal Command gets a seamless radar image once the two ranges are connected." This allows the Indian Navy to constantly watch the waterways of the Muslim island’s neighbours to protect it and guard against piracy.

In Sri Lanka, India acquired control of the Hambantota Air Base in 2018. This site helps in monitoring shipping lanes and responding to catastrophes, while also serving to foil the strategic actions of other countries. "This might be transformed into a fully functional facility, which could be leveraged to fight any possible threats from China. India has also leased Colombo Port and is investing in its advancement. Six Coastal Surveillance Radar (CSR) stations are run by the Indian Navy in the neighbouring nation."

Madagascar hosted India's first electronic surveillance station abroad in 2007. This CSR station gathering intelligence and tracking marine communications assists India in monitoring activity in the Mozambique Channel.

Deepening Ties: Bhutan, Nepal, and Mozambique

India’s oldest overseas training mission is in Bhutan. "New Delhi runs an Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) in Bhutan. It was built in Haa Dzong, in the western part of the country, during 1961-62. Indian Army staff train the Royal Bhutan Army and the Royal Bodyguard there. The team helps Bhutan improve its defence abilities."

In Nepal, the Indian Air Force maintains an airport in Surkhet to defend against aerial threats and train soldiers in high-altitude warfare. Meanwhile, in Mozambique, a robust partnership saw the Indian Navy taking charge of the country's maritime security during major summits in 2003.

Global Partnerships: Singapore, USA, and Japan

To counter expansionism in the Strait of Malacca, India inked a deal with Singapore in 2017. "India has established its military footprint there owing to the arrangement. It is officially known as RSS Singapura-Changi Naval Base, which is at one end of the bustling Strait of Malacca. It is very important because more than 70% of China’s trade passes via this route."

The relationship with the United States reached a milestone with the 2016 LEMOA agreement. This pact allows both militaries to use each other’s bases for resupplying or repairs. "Now, India is able to access many military facilities spread over 85 countries and territories pertaining to the United States of America. Thus, bases in Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Djibouti, Kuwait, Philippines, Seychelles, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates would be crucial in confronting China and Pakistan."

Japan and India have also signed a logistics deal. "As a result of this deal, India has access to Japan’s military installation in Djibouti to oppose China’s base there." Similar agreements (MLSAs) have been formalised with South Korea, Australia, and France to broaden India's operational reach in the face of aggressive expansion in the Indo-Pacific.

Conclusion

India has continually participated in defence cooperation with friendly foreign nations as an element of its national security strategy. Through visits, exercises, and the installation of military bases, India is building the trust necessary for mutual security. These strategic outposts are essential for safeguarding India’s military and commercial interests, particularly as a counter-balance to the expansion agendas of other global powers.