China to build military base in Tajikistan

China to build military base in Tajikistan

Part of: Prelims and GS II – International Relations 

Context China will take full control of a military base in Tajikistan near the Afghan border that it has been quietly operating and will also build a new base for the Tajik Government.

Key takeaways 

• Tajikistan granted approval for the construction of a new base, following an agreement between Tajikistan and China. 
• The agreement was signed by the China’s Public Security Ministry, and not the Chinese military which suggests a focus on counterterrorism amid rising concerns over instability in neighbouring Afghanistan. 
• The new base would be owned by Tajikistan’s Rapid Reaction Group and financed by China for a cost of $10 million. 
• It will be located in the eastern Gorno-Badakhshan autonomous province near the Pamir mountains, and Chinese troops will not be stationed there.
• Tajikistan Government has also agreed to transfer full control a former Soviet base near the China-Tajikistan-Afghanistan tri-junction and the Wakhan Corridor, where China shares a less than 100 km border with Afghanistan.
• The base, once full control has been transferred, will become only the second known overseas Chinese security facility, after Djibouti near the Horn of Africa .

Do you know?

• Russia and India are among countries that already have a military presence in bases in Tajikistan.