[🇧🇩] Chicken Neck/Siliguri Corridor

[Krishna with Flute]

You know what, you should shut up now. You know nothing about Bangladesh army so keep quiet.

All right. I bow down to your commandment superior knowledge and shutting down now. Afterall, in Islam, there is no scope of debate. You have to follow the commandment.

 

[Saif]

All right. I bow down to your commandment superior knowledge and shutting down now. Afterall, in Islam, there is no scope of debate. You have to follow the commandment.

In Islam there is a scope for debate but lying in the name of debating is not allowed in Islam or in any other religion.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

In Islam there is a scope for debate but lying in the name of debating is not allowed in Islam or in any other religion.

Islam teaches how to lie. When you are in majority, crush Jimmies. When you are tiny minority, talk friendship though you have an agenda of making the region Darul Islam. It is called Al Taqiya.

Taqiya literally means "prudence," "caution," or "dissimulation" in Arabic. It refers to the practice of concealing one's faith or beliefs.

 

[Saif]

Islam teaches how to lie. When you are in majority, crush Jimmies. When you are tiny minority, talk friendship though you have an agenda of making the region Darul Islam. It is called Al Taqiya.

Taqiya literally means "prudence," "caution," or "dissimulation" in Arabic. It refers to the practice of concealing one's faith or beliefs.

After reading your post it is clear to me that you were talking about Chanakya. According to Chanakya, you make friendship with more powerful country and suppress those countries that are weaker than you. Islam teaches equality, peace and harmony.

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh Tries Creating Thorns In India's Achilles Heal, A Region Defended By Rafale, BrahMos, S-400

During his four-day visit to China from March 26 to 29, 2025, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, made provocative statements against India. Speaking in Beijing, Yunus referred to India’s northeastern states, known as the “Seven Sisters,” as a “landlocked...

www.eurasiantimes.com

Bangladesh Tries Creating Thorns In India’s Achilles Heal, A Region Defended By Rafale, BrahMos, S-400
By Air Marshal Anil Khosla -April 14, 2025

During his four-day visit to China from March 26 to 29, 2025, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, made provocative statements against India.

Speaking in Beijing, Yunus referred to India’s northeastern states, known as the “Seven Sisters,” as a “landlocked region” with “no way to reach the ocean.”

He positioned Bangladesh as this region’s “only guardian of the ocean.” He suggested that this geographical situation presented a “huge possibility” for China to expand its economy through Bangladesh.

He proposed that China could “build things, produce things, market things, bring things to China, and distribute them to the rest of the world,” effectively framing Bangladesh as a strategic gateway for Chinese economic influence.

These offensive remarks triggered strong reactions in India. They underscore the “persistent vulnerability narrative” associated with India’s strategic Siliguri Corridor, or “Chicken’s Neck,” a narrow strip connecting the Northeast to the rest of the country.

These statements reflect a deeper strategic consideration and longstanding agenda. Yunus’s pitch came during a time of strained India-Bangladesh relations, following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024 and his decision to prioritize China over India for his first state visit.

His comments were seen as an attempt to leverage Bangladesh’s geographic position to attract Chinese investment. This shift in Dhaka’s alignment toward Beijing potentially complicates regional security dynamics, especially given the Northeast’s proximity to the sensitive Chicken’s Neck corridor.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi later cautioned Yunus during a meeting on April 4, 2025, at the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand, urging him to avoid rhetoric that “vitiates the environment” and emphasizing the need for constructive bilateral ties.

File Image: Muhammad Yunus

Political Upheaval & Anti-India Sentiment

The fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government marked a turning point in Bangladesh’s domestic and foreign policy. Hasina’s administration fostered strong ties with India, emphasizing economic cooperation, security partnerships, and infrastructure development.

However, her ouster, driven by student protests and political unrest, brought to power an interim government that has adopted a less conciliatory tone toward India. Anti-India utterances have gained traction under the new regime.

Additionally, public and political discourse in Bangladesh has seen a rise in criticism of India, often centered on issues like water-sharing disputes and perceived interference in Bangladeshi politics. These sentiments are partly rooted in historical grievances and domestic pressures to assert sovereignty but have strained bilateral ties.

Cozying Up To China

Bangladesh’s deepening relationship with China is a significant development under the interim government. Beijing has long sought to expand its influence in South Asia, and Bangladesh’s strategic location makes it a key partner in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Yunus government has actively courted Chinese investment, signaling a shift from Hasina’s cautious balancing act between India and China.

China’s involvement in Bangladesh spans infrastructure, trade, and defense. In March 2025, Dhaka welcomed Chinese participation in multiple projects, including modernizing Mongla Port and expanding the China Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram.

Bilateral agreements signed during Yunus’s visit to Beijing included cooperation in the blue economy, maritime dialogue, and a potential Free Trade Agreement. These moves indicate Bangladesh’s intent to leverage China’s economic might to bolster its development agenda.

However, this pivot toward China has raised eyebrows in New Delhi. India views China’s growing presence in Bangladesh as part of a broader strategy to encircle it through the so-called “String of Pearls” – a network of strategic assets in the Indo-Pacific.

The shift is particularly concerning given Bangladesh’s proximity to India’s northeastern region, which is connected to the mainland by the narrow Siliguri Corridor, colloquially known as the “Chicken’s Neck.” India is concerned about the potential threat of China’s growing presence in Bangladesh.

The Teesta River Project: A Geopolitical Flashpoint

The Teesta River, which originates in Sikkim, flows through West Bengal, and enters Bangladesh, has long been a point of contention between India and Bangladesh.

The river is vital for irrigation and livelihoods in both countries, but disagreements over water sharing have persisted for decades. Bangladesh accuses India of restricting water flow through upstream barrages, particularly during the dry season, affecting millions in its northern districts like Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, and Kurigram.

The Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, estimated at $1 billion, has emerged as a new arena for Sino-Indian rivalry. Under Hasina, Bangladesh had leaned toward India for the project, with New Delhi expressing interest in funding it to counter China’s earlier proposal.

However, the interim government has shifted course, inviting Chinese participation. In February 2025, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Environment announced plans to collaborate with China on a master plan for the river’s conservation, involving dredging, embankment construction, and township development. This decision was framed as a response to public demand, with hearings held to build consensus.

For India, Chinese involvement in the Teesta project is alarming. The river’s proximity to the Siliguri Corridor means that Chinese personnel or infrastructure near the border could provide Beijing with strategic leverage.

India fears that data on water flow or the presence of Chinese engineers could be used to monitor or influence the region’s security dynamics. The project’s geopolitical implications underscore the delicate balance Bangladesh must strike between economic development and regional stability.

The Lalmonirhat Airfield Project: A Security Concern

Another development raising red flags in India is Bangladesh’s plan to revive the World War II-era airfield in Lalmonirhat, located just 10 kilometers from the Indian border.

Reports suggest Dhaka has sought Chinese assistance to transform the abandoned site into a modern airbase, with discussions reportedly held during Yunus’s China visit. While Bangladesh frames the project as part of its military modernization under the Forces Goal 2030 initiative, India is wary of its potential implications.

The location of the Lalmonirhat airfield, near the Siliguri Corridor, presents a sensitive issue. If developed with Chinese support, the airbase could serve as a dual-use facility, potentially hosting Chinese military assets disguised as civilian infrastructure.

The mere prospect of Chinese involvement so close to India’s border is viewed as a provocative move, particularly in light of Bangladesh’s recent overtures to Pakistan, another rival of India.

The Chicken’s Neck: India’s Strategic Redline

The Siliguri Corridor, or Chicken’s Neck, is a narrow strip of land in West Bengal, approximately 20-60 kilometers wide, which connects India’s mainland to its northeastern states.

Bordered by Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, it is one of India’s most strategically located regions. The corridor is a lifeline for trade, communication, and military logistics to the northeast.

Any disruption in the Chicken’s Neck could isolate the northeast, a scenario India has long sought to prevent. The corridor’s importance has prompted New Delhi to bolster its defenses, deploying advanced assets like Rafale fighter jets, BrahMos missiles, and the S-400 air defense system.

Bangladesh’s moves to involve China in projects near the corridor – particularly the Teesta River and Lalmonirhat airfield – are seen as direct challenges to India’s security.

A Chinese presence in these areas could enable intelligence gathering, influence local dynamics, or even give Beijing a foothold to pressure India in a crisis. The corridor’s proximity to the Chinese-controlled Chumbi Valley, where tensions flared during the 2017 Doklam standoff, further heightens India’s concerns.

Improving Connectivity: Kaladan Project

The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project is a significant infrastructure initiative to enhance connectivity between India and Myanmar, foster economic growth, and strengthen bilateral ties.

Launched in 2008 under India’s Act East Policy, the project seeks to connect Kolkata’s seaport with Sittwe in Myanmar’s Rakhine State by sea, then link Sittwe to Paletwa through the Kaladan River, and finally extend from Paletwa to Zorinpui on the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram by road.

Spanning approximately 539 km by sea, 158 km by river, and 110 km by road, it offers an alternative route to India’s northeastern states, bypassing the narrow Siliguri Corridor and reducing travel distance by about 1,328 km.

Fully funded by India at an estimated cost of $484 million, the project faced numerous challenges, including delays due to political instability in Myanmar, the Rohingya crisis, conflicts involving the Arakan Army, and logistical issues like monsoons and rugged terrain.

While the Sittwe port and Paletwa jetty were completed by 2017, with dredging finalized, the road from Paletwa to Zorinpui remains under construction. The Arakan Army’s recent control of Paletwa has raised concerns about the project’s viability, though assurances of cooperation have been made.

The project promises substantial economic benefits, boosting trade and development in India’s landlocked Northeast by providing sea access to Southeast Asian markets.

Strategically, it enhances India’s regional influence, countering China’s presence. However, ongoing conflicts and coordination issues underscore the need for diplomatic engagement with local stakeholders to ensure timely completion, making the Kaladan Project a critical yet complex endeavor for regional connectivity and economic integration.

Indian Concerns & Regional Implications

India’s concerns about Bangladesh’s recent trajectory are multifaceted.

First, the rise in anti-India rhetoric threatens to erode the goodwill built over decades of cooperation. Projects like the Akhaura-Agartala rail link and India’s $8 billion in credit lines for Bangladeshi infrastructure underscore the depth of bilateral ties, but these are now at risk due to political uncertainty.

China’s growing footprint in Bangladesh challenges India’s influence in its immediate neighborhood. New Delhi fears that Bangladesh could become a key node in China’s regional strategy, undermining India’s role as a counterweight in the Indo-Pacific.

With planned visits by its foreign minister and secretary in April 2025, Pakistan’s involvement adds another layer of complexity as Islamabad seeks to capitalize on Dhaka’s shift.

Further, the strategic projects near the Siliguri Corridor raise immediate security concerns. India has responded by enhancing its military posture but recognizes the need for diplomatic engagement.

The meeting between Yunus and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in April 2025 was described as “constructive,” with discussions on water sharing, border issues, and minority rights. However, tangible progress remains elusive.

Indian Retribution

Since 08 April, India has terminated a trans-shipment facility that allowed Bangladesh to route export goods through Indian ports, airports, and land customs stations to third countries.

Established in 2020, the arrangement facilitated cost-effective and efficient trade, particularly for Bangladesh’s garment industry, which relied on Indian infrastructure to reach markets in Europe and the Gulf.

India cited logistical challenges, including port and airport congestion, as the primary reason for the withdrawal. Indian exporters, especially in apparel, had long complained that the facility strained capacity, inflating costs and delaying shipments.

However, the timing suggests a strategic response to Bangladesh’s growing alignment with China, raising regional security and influence concerns.

Exceptions were made for exports to Nepal and Bhutan, aligning with World Trade Organization obligations for landlocked nations. The move disrupts Bangladesh’s trade logistics, forcing reliance on longer, costlier routes through its ports like Chittagong.

Conclusion

Bangladesh’s recent developments reflect a complex interplay of domestic priorities and geopolitical ambitions. The interim government’s outreach to China and anti-India rhetoric have set off alarm bells in New Delhi, particularly regarding the Teesta River and Lalmonirhat airfield projects.

The Chicken’s Neck remains a critical concern, with India taking no chances to secure its lifeline to the northeast. As Bangladesh navigates its path, it must balance economic imperatives with regional stability while India grapples with the challenge of maintaining influence in a rapidly changing neighborhood.

The coming months will test the resilience of India-Bangladesh relations and the broader dynamics of South Asian geopolitics.

Air Marshal Anil Khosla is a former Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force and AOC in C of Eastern Air Command.​

 

[Saif]

The Indian army has conducted a military drill near chicken's neck to test their combat readiness. "Tista Prahar" is the first ever military drill by the Indian army near sensitive Siliguri corridor. Heavy artillery has been used in the drill.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

The Indian army has conducted a military drill near chicken's neck to test their combat readiness. "Tista Prahar" is the first ever military drill by the Indian army near sensitive Siliguri corridor. Heavy artillery has been used in the drill.

This is in response to Younus inviting China to establish a base near Siliguri Corridor and his bluff about seven sisters. This will convey a message to China.

 

[Saif]

India deploys Rafale Jets, S-400 at Siliguri corridor: Indian media report

India has fortified its most vulnerable but strategically important stretch, the Siliguri Corridor, which is also known as the Chicken’s Neck, by deploying Rafale fighter jets and Russian-made S-400 air defence system, according to an Indian media outlet report.

www.newagebd.net

India deploys Rafale Jets, S-400 at Siliguri corridor: Indian media report
Staff Correspondent 31 May, 2025, 01:03

India has fortified its most vulnerable but strategically important stretch, the Siliguri Corridor, which is also known as the Chicken’s Neck, by deploying Rafale fighter jets and Russian-made S-400 air defence system, according to an Indian media outlet report.

The 20–22km-wide corridor is India’s only land link to its north-eastern states and sits at the crossroads of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and China.

With Pakistan already rattled, New Delhi had now turned its strategic gaze eastward and was drawing red lines, said the Zee News report published online on May 29.

Neither the Bangladesh foreign ministry nor the Border Guard Bangladesh responded to New Age queries about the Indian media report over the deployment of military equipment in the bordering areas. Wellness retreats

‘While tension with Pakistan eases, India’s eyes are now on Beijing and Dhaka. Recent Chinese military drills near the India-Bhutan border and fast-moving political shifts in Bangladesh, according to The Asia Live, have put New Delhi on alert,’ the report from New Delhi mentioned.

What is worrying is that the interim government in Dhaka, under Mohammad Yunus, is reportedly leaning towards China and Pakistan—a potential axis that is likely to reshape the strategic balance in India’s east as mentioned in the report.

‘India, in response, has tightened Unmanned Aerial Vehicle restrictions within 10 kilometres of its international border and stepped up aerial surveillance across the entire eastern front,’ it said.

‘India’s anxiety has spiked after reports surfaced that Bangladesh may acquire 32 Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, which are equipped with AESA radar, EW pods and long-range missiles,’ the report said.

Active Electronically Scanned Array or AESA is a highly advanced radar system and Electronic Warfare pods or EW pods are devices that provide aircraft with electronic warfare capabilities.

Responding to the shifting ground, India has made its intentions clear. The deployment of the S-400 air defence system, which is capable of neutralising threats up to 400 kilometres away, along with a Rafale squadron at Hashimara Airbase, is more than just tactical positioning. It is a strategic warning, according to the report.

Political party merchandise

India’s military had also adopted a multi-zone deterrence doctrine, combining real-time ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) integration, cyber and electronic warfare capabilities, seamless tri-service coordination and fortification of key roads, tunnels and rail links in the Siliguri Corridor for rapid military mobilisation, the report mentioned.

It referred to India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stating that India was ‘closely monitoring developments in the region’ and would take decisive action if needed.

Asked for comment, retired Major General ANM Muniruzzaman, president of the independent think tank Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies, said on Friday that India could take security measures on their side, but Bangladesh should assess its security threats in case of the installation and movement of such heavy military equipment near its border.​