In a rare alignment, India has joined the Taliban, China, and Russia in rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to reclaim control of Afghanistan’s Bagram Air Base, a key American military installation vacated during the 2021 withdrawal.
The position emerged during the seventh Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan, held in Moscow on October 7. The joint statement by participating nations called it “unacceptable” for any country to deploy military infrastructure in Afghanistan or its neighboring states, an indirect but clear reference to Trump’s demand.
India’s Position and the Moscow Format
India’s endorsement of the statement marks a rare convergence with regional powers often at odds with New Delhi’s strategic interests. The meeting was attended by senior representatives from India, Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, with Belarus joining as a guest.
For the first time, the Taliban delegation, led by Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, participated as a full member, just days before his scheduled visit to New Delhi from October 9 to 16.
The collective statement emphasized the importance of “regional peace, stability, and economic integration” while rejecting foreign military presence. It reaffirmed Afghanistan’s sovereignty and urged cooperation in counter-terrorism and humanitarian support.
Trump’s Push for Bagram
President Trump has repeatedly demanded that the Taliban return control of the Bagram Air Base to the United States. Speaking alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in September, Trump declared, “We gave it to them for nothing. We want that base back.”
Days later, on Truth Social, he issued a warning: “If Afghanistan doesn’t give Bagram air base back… bad things are going to happen!”
The Taliban, however, firmly rejected the idea. Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, “Afghans will never allow their land to be handed over to anyone under any circumstances.”
Bagram, located about 50 kilometers north of Kabul, was the largest U.S. airbase in Afghanistan. Built during the Soviet era, it played a central role in America’s two-decade-long so called “war on terror.” With twin runways stretching 3 and 3.6 kilometers, it remains one of the most strategically significant airfields in the region.
Why India’s Position Matters
India’s support for the joint statement highlights a pragmatic shift, prioritizing regional consensus over alignment with Washington. While New Delhi remains a key U.S. partner in the Indo-Pacific, its stance in the Moscow Format underscores a focus on stability, counter-terrorism, and connectivity in Central Asia.
Indian officials privately indicate that the decision was guided by national interest rather than ideological alignment. By supporting a collective regional approach, India seeks to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a new battleground for external powers, a scenario that could embolden extremist groups across Indo-Pacific.
Balancing Diplomacy and Security
New Delhi’s position does not signal sympathy for the Taliban but rather reflects a calculated response to evolving geopolitical realities. Since 2021, India has gradually re-engaged with Afghanistan to safeguard its investments, humanitarian programs, and regional influence.
Trump’s plan to re-establish a U.S. foothold at Bagram would likely have reignited tensions in the region, especially with Beijing and Moscow viewing it as a strategic intrusion. India’s cautious alignment with these powers therefore reflects a desire to stabilize rather than militarize the region.
A Region Still on Edge
The Moscow Format statement also called for sustained humanitarian aid and “active integration” of Afghanistan into regional infrastructure, including energy and transport networks. For India, this could reopen discussions around the Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor, strengthening connectivity through Iran and Central Asia.
As President Trump continues to push his 20-point peace plan for Gaza and reassert American influence abroad, his Bagram demand has introduced new friction lines. India’s stance—tempered, pragmatic, and regional, signals that New Delhi is charting its own course amid a rapidly changing global order.
