A good friend and enemy have one thing in common: both are always present near you. Friends are ready to support you and enemies to fight with you.

And to make a counter-presence with your enemy, Overseas military bases play a vital role.

The installation of military bases abroad enables a country to project power, e.g. to conduct expeditionary warfare, and thereby influence affairs abroad. Depending on their size and infrastructure, they can be used as staging areas or for logistical, communications, and intelligence support. 

Many battles throughout modern history have resulted in overseas military bases being founded in large numbers by world powers. And the presence of bases abroad has served countries that have them in achieving political and military goals.

And to counter both its enemies, India is developing a strategic network of military bases abroad. In this approach, India is making use of friendly countries’ bases through strategic partnerships along with building its military facilities.

So, Let’s know about all

Indian Military Bases Outside India

As we see above, India has 2 Types of military bases abroad-

1. Self-made military facility
2. Strategic Partnership with others

#Self-Made Military Facility

These are the military bases that the Indian armed forces developed themselves.

1. Tajikistan

Farkhor Air Base is a military airport located near the city of Farkhor in Tajikistan. It is operated by the Indian Air Force in association with the Tajik Air Force. Farkhor Base is India’s first military base outside its territory.

Consequently, The Farkhor Air Base gives the Indian Army the depth and range needed to play an impactful role in the Indian subcontinent. It is a tangible manifestation of India’s move to demonstrate its power in Central Asia.

Read Also:- Farkhor Airbase: India’s Secret Military Base In Tajikistan

The potential implications of this premise go far beyond the India-Pakistan rivalry on the subcontinent. Pakistan fears being surrounded by India due to its active base in Farkhor. In 2003, Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf raised concerns with the Tajik government that Indian aircraft would be able to reach Pakistan within minutes using the airport.

2. Oman

Oman is the first Gulf nation to have formalized defense relations with India. 

India has a listening post at Ras al Hadd. The Indian Navy has berthing rights in Oman at Muscat naval base. The navy has been utilizing Oman’s ports as bases for conducting anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.

In February 2018, India announced that it had ensured access to the facilities at Duqm for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. Duqm had previously served as a port for the INS Mumbai.

3. Bhutan

The Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) is a training mission of the Indian Army in Bhutan. IMTRAT is responsible for the training of the personnel of the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) and the Royal Bodyguard of Bhutan (RBG). It is the oldest training team sent outside India to a friendly foreign nation. IMTRAT was established at Haa Dzong in Western Bhutan in 1961–62.

4. Mauritius

India has installed 8 Coastal Surveillance Radar Systems in Mauritius including North Agalega Island. Mauritius has leased North Agalega Island in the Indian Ocean to the Indian Army for strategic asset development as part of the Indo-Mauritius Military Cooperation. 

Currently, the island serves as an Indian military base in Mauritius. India is continuously investing in enhancing its operational capabilities of this.

To clarify, the Integrated Coastal Surveillance System (ICSS) is a coastal surveillance system to protect its coastline, ensure regional security and assist friendly navies by quickly detecting, locating, and monitoring maritime activity in the Indian Ocean. 

5. Seychelles 

In 2015, Seychelles and India signed an agreement for constructing and operating a joint military facility on Assumption Island of Seychelles. A coast surveillance radar system built with support from India became operational in 2016. Seychelles has 4 More Integrated Coastal Surveillance Systems (ICSS) in addition to 2 located on the assumption island.

6. Maldives 

India has started the process of bringing this island country into India’s security grid. The move comes after the moderate Islamic nation approached New Delhi in early 2009 over fears. It feared that the lack of military assets and surveillance capabilities could result in terrorists taking over one of its island resorts.

The Indian Navy operates 10 Coastal Surveillance Radar (CSR) stations in the Maldives. The Coastal Radar Range in the Maldives has been integrated with the Indian Coastal Radar System. The radar ranges of the two countries will be interlinked, and a central control room in India’s Coastal Command will get a seamless radar image.

In addition, India has permanently installed two helicopters in the country to enhance its surveillance capabilities and ability to respond rapidly to threats.

7. Sri Lanka

The Indian Navy operates 6 Coastal Surveillance Radar (CSR) stations in Sri Lanka. To compete with China’s Hambantota Port, India has taken Colombo Port on lease in Sri Lanka itself. And also investing in its development.

8. Madagascar 

The Indian Navy has been operating a Coastal Surveillance Radar (CSR) station in Northern Madagascar since 2007.

9. Nepal Air Base

In Surkhet, the Indian Air Force maintains an airstrip that protects them against aerial threats.

#Strategic Partnership With Others

1. USA

India-USA signed LEMOA on 29 August 2016. The LEMOA stands for the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement. According to this agreement, the military of both countries can use each other’s bases for re-supplying or carrying out repairs bases. This agreement does not make the provision of logistical support binding on either country and requires individual clearance for each request.

With this agreement, India will get access to a network of military bases spread over 85 countries and territories of the USA.
Moreover, Bases located in Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Djibouti, Kuwait, Philippines, Seychelles, Thailand, and UAE will play a Crucial role in countering India to China and Pakistan.

2. Singapore

In 2017, India and Singapore signed a bilateral agreement that will permit Indian Navy ships limited logistical support, including refueling, at CNB.

CNB stands for Changi Naval base. It is officially known as the RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base.

3. Japan

Recently, India and Japan signed a logistics agreement. Similar to India-USA’s LEMOA agreement, it will also permit the armed forces of both sides to closely coordinate services and supplies.

With this agreement, India will get access to the Djibouti military base of Japan to counter China’s base in Djibouti.

So, India is developing and using these military bases to counter its enemy. As we see above, India has a lot of military facilities in the Indian Ocean. And, To counter China in the Indo-Pacific region, India also uses bases from its friendly countries.