The Siliguri corridor is not just a passage but a strategic artery vital to India’s national integrity. As power dynamics evolve in the region, India must remain vigilant, continuously adapting its policies to secure this fragile yet indispensable lifeline
A nation’s lifeline can sometimes be as slender as a thread, for India, the Siliguri corridor is that vital strand connecting the heart to its northeastern limbs. The Siliguri corridor, often dubbed the “Chicken’s Neck,” is a narrow stretch of land in West Bengal that serves as the sole terrestrial link between India’s northeastern States and the rest of the country. Flanked by Nepal to the west, Bhutan to the north, and Bangladesh to the south, this corridor’s strategic importance cannot be overstated.
The corridor is only about 22 kilometres wide at its narrowest point and approximately 200 kilometres long, making it one of the most sensitive chokepoints in the world. Its vulnerability has become a focal point in the complex geopolitical dynamics of South Asia, especially in light of recent developments involving Bangladesh and China. Bangladesh’s deepening ties with China have raised eyebrows in New Delhi.
The burgeoning relationship between Dhaka and Beijing encompasses extensive infrastructure projects, military cooperation and significant investments under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This growing camaraderie has led to concerns about China’s expanding influence in India’s immediate neighbourhood and the potential implications for the security of the Siliguri corridor.
Adding to India’s concerns is the recent statement by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus in China: “We are the only guardian of the ocean for all this region. So, this opens up a huge possibility. So this could be an extension of the Chinese economy. Build things, produce things, market things, bring things to China, bring it out to the whole rest of the world.”
Such remarks align with China’s strategic vision and highlight the potential shift in Bangladesh’s foreign policy, which could challenge India’s dominance in the Bay of Bengal and its connectivity to the northeast.
The corridor’s significance is multifaceted. Economically, it is the main artery for trade and transit between mainland India and its northeastern States. Militarily, it is crucial for the movement of Defence forces to and from the northeastern frontier, particularly in the context of India’s border tensions with China.
The 2017 Doklam standoff, where Indian and Chinese troops faced off near the trijunction of India, Bhutan, and China, underscored the corridor’s strategic sensitivity.
Any disruption here could effectively sever India’s access to its northeastern territories, posing a severe threat to national integrity. If the Siliguri corridor is “cut” or blocked, India’s entire North East — comprising seven States — would be physically isolated from the rest of the country. This scenario could lead to economic paralysis, logistical nightmares, and security risks, making it a nightmare for India’s defence establishment.
Given the presence of active insurgent groups and China’s influence in the region, the possibility of a blockade in times of conflict poses a major national security challenge.
China’s strategic manoeuvres in the region are not limited to its relationship with Bangladesh. The “Five Fingers” strategy, attributed to Mao Zedong, envisions Tibet as China’s palm with Bhutan, Nepal, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Ladakh as its five fingers, all purportedly awaiting “liberation.”
This doctrine reflects Beijing’s broader ambitions in South Asia and highlights the geopolitical chessboard on which the Siliguri corridor sits. Moreover, China’s economic engagements often lead to debt dependencies, a phenomenon termed the “debt trap.” Countries ensnared in this trap may find themselves compelled to align with Beijing’s strategic interests, sometimes at the expense of their sovereignty.
Sri Lanka’s handover of the Hambantota Port to China on a 99-year lease after struggling to repay Chinese loans is a cautionary tale that resonates in the region.
India fears a similar scenario could unfold in Bangladesh, potentially compromising the security dynamics of the Siliguri corridor. The ‘Thucydides Trap’, a concept describing the tendency towards conflict when a rising power challenges an established one, is increasingly relevant in the Indo-China context.
As China asserts itself more aggressively in South Asia, the strategic importance of the Siliguri corridor becomes even more pronounced. Ensuring its security is paramount for India to maintain regional stability and counterbalance China’s expanding influence. India has undertaken several measures to bolster the corridor’s security and infrastructure. Enhancements in road and rail connectivity aim to facilitate rapid military and civilian movement. The Government is actively developing alternative connectivity routes, such as the Bogibeel Bridge in Assam, the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project through Myanmar, and the Agartala-Akhaura rail link with Bangladesh, to reduce dependency on the Siliguri corridor.
Additionally, military fortification in the region has been intensified. The presence of the Indian Army’s 33 Corps, the deployment of additional Border Security Force (BSF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel and infrastructure upgrades along the Bhutanese and Nepalese frontiers aim to safeguard the corridor from potential incursions or blockades. However, the challenges remain formidable, requiring constant vigilance and proactive strategies.
The need for a robust Defence strategy, diplomatic engagement with neighbouring countries, and infrastructure diversification is more urgent than ever. The Siliguri corridor is not merely a geographical passage but a linchpin in India’s national security and regional strategy. As geopolitical currents shift, safeguarding this slender lifeline is imperative to ensure the unity and integrity of the nation.
The Siliguri corridor remains a critical lifeline for India, linking its northeastern States to the rest of the country amid growing geopolitical tensions. As Bangladesh strengthens its ties with China, India’s strategic concerns over the corridor’s security have intensified. China’s expanding influence in South Asia, coupled with historical territorial ambitions, underscores the corridor’s vulnerability.
Any disruption to this narrow stretch of land could have severe economic, logistical, and security consequences, potentially isolating India’s northeastern States. India has taken proactive measures, strengthening infrastructure, fortifying military presence, and diversifying connectivity routes to mitigate risks. However, ensuring the corridor’s security requires a multidimensional approach — combining military preparedness, strategic diplomacy and regional partnerships.
By reinforcing alliances with Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, India can counterbalance China’s growing footprint and safeguard its interests.The Siliguri corridor is not just a passage but a strategic artery vital to India’s national integrity.
As power dynamics evolve in the region, India must remain vigilant, continuously adapting its policies to secure this fragile yet indispensable lifeline.
(The writer is an Associate Professor at the Centre For South Asian Studies, School of International Studies and Social Sciences Pondicherry Central University. Views expressed are personal)
