Taliban Rejects Any U.S. Military Return to Bagram Base, Why the U.S. Reportedly Wants to Return to Bagram
Taliban has made it clear that it will not allow any foreign military presence on its soil, particularly at the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, once the largest U.S. military installation in the country. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on Friday, Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi stated that Afghanistan’s sovereignty is non-negotiable and that no foreign troops would ever be allowed back.
“We have never accepted any military presence there, and we certainly never will. Afghanistan is a sovereign country, and it will remain so. If you want relations, you can engage through a diplomatic mission, but we do not accept anyone in military uniform,” Muttaqi said.
He also stressed that Afghanistan has maintained its commitment to ensure that its territory is not used against other nations. “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has proven in the last four years that Afghan soil will not be used to threaten others,” he added.
Earlier this week, a joint statement by India and other regional countries declared as “unacceptable” any attempts by nations to deploy their military infrastructure in Afghanistan or its neighboring states. The statement, issued after the 7th Moscow Format Consultations, urged external powers to respect the sovereignty and stability of the region and refrain from actions that could reignite instability.
This collective stance highlights a rare consensus among Asian nations—including India, Russia, Iran, and China—that Afghanistan’s peace should not be disturbed by renewed foreign intervention.
During his visit to New Delhi, Muttaqi held bilateral discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. India announced that it would upgrade its Kabul mission to a full embassy, marking a step toward formal diplomatic normalization after the embassy’s closure in 2021 following the Taliban’s takeover.
As part of humanitarian support, Jaishankar handed over five ambulances to the Afghan delegation, a part of India’s larger gift of 20 ambulances and medical equipment. “This gesture reflects India’s long-standing support for the Afghan people,” Jaishankar noted.
Muttaqi, expressing gratitude, said, “I appreciate the warm hospitality shown by the Indian government. Afghanistan seeks positive relations with all countries based on mutual respect and Islamic principles.”
According to several analysts, Washington’s reported interest in re-establishing access to Bagram Air Base stems from both strategic and symbolic motives.
First, Bagram’s location gives the United States proximity to China’s western border, especially the Xinjiang region, and allows monitoring of strategic sites such as nuclear or missile facilities. For American defense planners, such a base could provide a valuable vantage point in the evolving U.S.–China rivalry.
Second, Bagram had long served as a logistics hub for operations in Central and South Asia, providing quick access to Iran, Pakistan, and the broader Himalayan region. A return to Bagram could theoretically restore a U.S. foothold in a region where its presence has sharply declined since the 2021 withdrawal.
Third, some experts believe that talk of returning to Bagram is more political than practical—a way to apply pressure on the Taliban government or signal U.S. strategic intent toward Beijing and Moscow without immediate military action.
However, any plan for a U.S. return faces formidable obstacles. The Taliban government has flatly rejected foreign troops, calling such a move a direct violation of Afghan sovereignty. Neighboring countries, including Iran, China, Russia, and India, have all voiced opposition, arguing that renewed U.S. deployment would destabilize the region and create new security problems.
Logistically, rebuilding the base would demand massive resources, advanced security measures, and local cooperation—all of which are currently unfeasible. Analysts warn that any such move could be viewed as a re-invasion and trigger strong regional backlash.
While some U.S. officials and commentators have hinted that control of Bagram could enable surveillance of Chinese territory, most defense experts argue this is strategically unrealistic. The distance to key Chinese military sites is significant, and operating aircraft or drones from Afghanistan would require overflight permissions, refueling arrangements, and extensive logistics—factors that make the idea highly impractical.
Moreover, China has openly expressed concern over any attempt by the U.S. to re-enter Afghanistan militarily, viewing it as an act of encirclement. Beijing fears that an American foothold so close to its borders could become a source of intelligence gathering and strategic pressure.
For now, the idea of the U.S. returning to Bagram Air Base appears politically untenable and strategically risky. The Taliban’s firm rejection, combined with regional opposition, makes it nearly impossible without major confrontation.
Instead, the U.S. may rely on diplomatic, intelligence, or remote surveillance channels to maintain its regional influence. Afghanistan, meanwhile, is asserting its sovereignty, seeking recognition through diplomacy rather than conflict.
India’s careful balancing—offering humanitarian aid while opposing foreign military presence—illustrates how the region prefers to move beyond decades of intervention and focus on stability through dialogue.
In essence, Afghanistan’s message from New Delhi was unequivocal: its territory will not host foreign soldiers again, and its future will be shaped by regional cooperation—not by external military powers.
✍️ This article is written by the team of The Defense News.