'Trump’s Push for Bagram Airbase Faces Strong Opposition from Taliban, India, China, and Russia'

International News: US President Donald Trump warned the Taliban government that if Bagram Airbase is not returned, there will be serious consequences. But the Taliban has bluntly refused. This has raised tensions worldwide. America had vacated the base during its withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Now Washington is making efforts to regain control.

India joins the opposition

In a surprising twist, India has joined the Taliban, Pakistan, China, and Russia in opposing the US move. This alignment is notable ahead of the scheduled visit of Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to India this week. His trip has made the issue even more sensitive. The united front signals a broader resistance against American influence in the region.

Why Bagram Airbase is crucial

Bagram Airbase lies about 50 kilometers from Kabul. It has two large runways—one 3.6 kilometers and the other 3 kilometers long. In Afghanistan’s mountainous terrain, very few airstrips can handle heavy military aircraft. This makes Bagram a rare and vital location. Its ability to host large aircraft and weapon carriers gives it unmatched importance in regional defense strategies.

From history to present day

The Soviet Union built Bagram Airbase in the 1950s. It became a central hub during the Soviet–Afghan War (1979–1989). After the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, Bagram turned into America’s main operational center in the “War on Terror.” It served as a logistics, intelligence, and command base. Even after US withdrawal, its strategic importance remains powerful and undeniable.

China’s growing closeness with Taliban

One reason the US is concerned is Bagram’s proximity to China’s sensitive nuclear sites. The Lop Nur testing area in Xinjiang and the Koko Nur facility in Qinghai are about 2,000 kilometers away. With China strengthening ties with the Taliban, Bagram’s role gains even more geopolitical weight. If China gets greater access in Afghanistan, America’s influence in Central Asia could weaken.

India’s strategic perspective

For India, the issue is more than military. New Delhi wants to expand trade and investment in Afghanistan. India has pushed for stronger economic ties with the Taliban government and has sent humanitarian aid. It also wants Afghanistan connected to regional networks like Chabahar Port. From India’s viewpoint, US attempts to control Bagram threaten its own influence and outreach in the region.

A new battleground for powers

The Bagram dispute highlights how this single base has become a battlefield for global powers. The US wants it back, the Taliban refuses, and China and Russia support Kabul’s defiance. India has now added its voice against Washington’s demand. This tug-of-war could reshape the balance of power across South Asia and Central Asia, making Bagram far more than just an airbase.