Key Indian Military Bases and Facilities Outside India

India is steadily expanding its military footprint beyond its own territory to enhance regional security, safeguard vital maritime routes, and strengthen diplomatic and defence partnerships. Unlike superpowers with large overseas bases, India primarily operates through strategically positioned listening posts, radar stations, naval facilities, training missions, and logistics access arrangements. These installations play a crucial role in enabling India to monitor key regions, coordinate rapid responses to threats, and counterbalance rival influences in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and beyond.

Expanding Strategic Reach through Overseas Bases and Facilities

India’s first-ever overseas military base was the Farkhor Air Base in Tajikistan, established to assist counterterrorism efforts near Afghanistan. Although the lease has recently expired, this base marked a significant step in projecting India’s strategic depth into Central Asia. In neighboring Bhutan, India maintains the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT), providing defence training and military cooperation that solidifies bilateral ties.

In the Indian Ocean, India has developed several important facilities. The Agalega Island base in Mauritius features an airstrip and coastal radar installations, boosting India’s rapid maritime surveillance capabilities. On Assumption Island in Seychelles, India maintains a naval base and radar systems that support anti-piracy operations and regional maritime security. Additionally, India operates listening posts and enjoys naval access rights at multiple locations in Oman, including Ras al Hadd and the port city of Duqm, which serve as logistical hubs for Indian naval vessels.

Beyond direct bases, India has strengthened its logistics and operational reach through key bilateral agreements. The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) with the United States grants mutual access to refuel and repair facilities across a global network of bases, while a similar pact with Japan facilitates Indian naval access in the Indo-Pacific region, including the strategic military base in Djibouti.

Key Indian Military Bases and Facilities Outside India

Location	Facility Name/Type	Purpose/Role
Tajikistan	Farkhor Air Base	Air operations and counterterrorism (lease expired)
Bhutan	Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT)	Training Bhutanese forces
Madagascar	Listening Post and Radar Facility	Intelligence gathering and maritime surveillance
Mauritius	Agalega Island Facility	Airstrip, naval base, coastal radar for maritime security
Seychelles	Assumption Island Facility	Naval base, radar for anti-piracy and maritime safety
Oman	Ras al Hadd, Muscat, Duqm	Listening posts, naval berthing, logistics support
Iran	Chabahar Port	Strategic trade and logistics access to Afghanistan and Central Asia
Singapore	Changi Naval Base	Naval support, resupply, and refuelling
Sri Lanka	Hambantota Air Base	Strategic monitoring and emergency response
Maldives	Coastal Surveillance Radar	Maritime security and anti-piracy monitoring

India’s overseas military facilities are instrumental in ensuring the security of critical sea lanes, especially in the Indian Ocean—a vital conduit for global trade and energy supplies. These bases support continuous monitoring of maritime activity, provide staging points for naval operations, and enable timely humanitarian and disaster response. The presence of coastal surveillance radars in the Maldives and listening posts in Madagascar highlight India’s emphasis on intelligence collection and early warning capabilities.

Moreover, the logistics agreements with the USA and Japan extend India’s operational flexibility by allowing access to allied military bases worldwide. This network strengthens India’s ability to project power in the Indo-Pacific, counter piracy, and manage regional crises effectively.

In summary, while India’s overseas military presence may not involve large-scale permanent bases akin to global superpowers, its strategically placed facilities and robust partnership agreements significantly enhance its regional and extra-regional defence posture. Through these efforts, India is reinforcing its role as a key security provider in the Indian Ocean and asserting its influence in Asia and beyond.