Understanding the ‘Chicken’s Neck’

India has initiated major strategic moves to reinforce its control over the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck,’ amid growing concerns over Bangladesh’s interim government warming up to Pakistan. The decision to establish new garrisons along the border underscores India’s intent to secure its Northeast connectivity and prevent potential geopolitical vulnerabilities.

Understanding the ‘Chicken’s Neck’

The ‘Chicken’s Neck’ refers to the Siliguri Corridor — a narrow strip of land in West Bengal that connects mainland India to its northeastern states. At its narrowest, it measures only about 20 to 22 kilometres wide. The corridor is flanked by Nepal on the west, Bangladesh on the east, and Bhutan to the north, making it one of the most strategically sensitive regions in South Asia. Any disruption here could isolate the entire Northeast from the rest of the country, prompting India to treat the region as a high-priority security zone.

India’s Defence Reinforcement Strategy

To enhance control and surveillance, India has recently established three new garrisons at Bamuni, Kishanganj, and Chopra along the Indo-Bangladesh border. These deployments are aimed at fortifying the Siliguri Corridor against potential encirclement threats. Additionally, India is exploring new transport links, including a proposed railway line through Jogbani in Bihar to Biratnagar in Nepal, connecting further to New Mal Junction in West Bengal, to strengthen alternative supply and communication routes.

Bangladesh’s Strategic Tilt Toward Pakistan

The evolving proximity between Bangladesh’s interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan has drawn India’s concern. A recent visit by Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, to Dhaka for talks on defence cooperation triggered alarm in New Delhi. Provocative statements from retired Bangladeshi military officials suggesting joint military cooperation with China against India have further heightened tensions.

Exam Oriented Facts

• The Siliguri Corridor, or ‘Chicken’s Neck,’ connects India’s Northeast to the rest of the country and is only 20–22 km wide.
• India has established new garrisons at Bamuni, Kishanganj, and Chopra to secure the corridor.
• The corridor is bordered by Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, making it strategically critical.
• India plans to link Jogbani–Biratnagar–New Mal Junction by rail to improve connectivity.

Yunus’s Remarks and India’s Strategic Outlook

Muhammad Yunus’s comments during his March visit to China, describing Northeast India as “landlocked” and Bangladesh as the region’s “guardian of the ocean,” were perceived in India as undermining its sovereignty. In response, India is reinforcing its military and infrastructural presence around the Siliguri Corridor, signalling a clear intent to safeguard its territorial integrity and maintain strategic dominance in the region.