India will establish its first toehold in Central Asia by sharing occupation of the Aini airbase and upgrading the Soviet-era facility. This is a significant first step into the region for the Indians, who, according to Martha Brill Olcott’s latest book Central Asia’s Second Chance, have been “biding their time, waiting to see how the region develops before they waste too much diplomatic capital.”

India already had a small military presence in the country, notably Mi-17 and Mi-35 attack helicopters, as well as hospital used to treat Northern Alliance fighters. It will be interesting to see how this development progresses.