Bangladesh leader Muhammad Yunus’s comment on the landlock nature of the northeastern states of India and a sharp response by the leaders of the region has again made the headlines of the important chicken neck corridor. This narrow bandage, which connects the northeast states to the rest of the country, attaches great importance among Delhi’s stressful relations with Beijing after Doklam’s face. Frosty relations with Bangladesh after the expulsion of Sheikh Hasina regime, added a new dimension to the geopolitics around the chicken neck and India needs to ensure its safety.
What is the neck of chicken
Chicken neck, also known as the Siliguri Corridor, is a narrow strip of land in Siliguri in West Bengal that connects the north -east of India to the rest of the country. All land transport in the Northeast, whether through road or rail, should pass through this corridor. In its narrow, the corridor is about 20 km wide. The chicken neck is called due to its geographical shape, this strip has Nepal and Bhutan to their north and Bangladesh in its south. Any obstruction on this route will effectively cut the north -east from the rest of India.
Battle of 1962 and a rude shock
In the 1962 Battle, China did not directly attack the neck of the chicken, but the rapid advance of its forces exposed the vulnerability of this significant stretch. Defense strategists have since pointed to a landscape in which a Chinese advance can effectively ‘choke’ the chicken neck and separate the north -east from India. This has inspired the Government of India to deploy more forces including the Border Security Force, Sa Shastra Seema Bal and Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
Doklam Dara
In 2017, China began construction of a road in Doklam, which is at the center of a regional dispute between China and Bhutan. When China tried to expand the road, India objected to the expansion would give geographical benefits to Beijing and make the chicken neck weak. India’s opposition created a deadlock between Indian and Chinese forces. Road construction was eventually stopped during a dissolution exercise.
Bangladesh Question
Last year, after a nationwide movement, the expulsion of the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh brought an interim government to power under the leadership of Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus. Due to the role of Delhi in Bangladesh Liberation War, India has formed a long -standing relationship with Dhaka. But the change of guards in Bangladesh has seen a change in bilateral relations. India has expressed concern over the reports of attacks on minorities and received strict reactions. The new rule has also reached China strongly, and India has seen carefully. Changing mobility between Delhi and Dhaka can prove to be important in India’s plans related to chicken neck.
What did Muhammad Yunus say
Mr. Yunus recently visited China and met Chinese President Xi Jinping. A video of his comment, apparently during his visit to China, has created a ruckus in India. He said, “Seven states of India, the eastern part of India, is called seven sisters. They are a landlock region in India. They have no way to reach the sea,” he said. He says that Bangladesh is a “patron of the ocean” for the region. “This opens a big possibility. It can be an expansion to the Chinese economy,” he said.
How did India leaders react
Bangladesh leader’s comment has drawn a sharp backlash. Assam Chief Minister Sarma has said that now it is mandatory to develop a strong rail and road network connecting the north -east to the rest of the country. “This comment underlines India’s strategic ‘chicken’s neck’ corridor.”
Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera said that Bangladesh was inviting China to the siege of India. He said, “The Bangladesh government’s approach is very dangerous for the protection of our Northeast. Our foreign policy is in such a disappointing situation that the country, whose creation we have played a major role for the creation, is now busy trying to surround us,” he said, targeting the BJP.
