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The Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as the 'Chicken’s Neck,' is a narrow stretch of land in West Bengal that serves as India's only land connection to its eight northeastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. This corridor, a mere 22 kilometers wide at its narrowest point, has long been recognized as a strategic vulnerability for India, a crucial chokepoint susceptible to disruption or external pressure. Recent remarks by Bangladesh's interim chief advisor, Muhammad Yunus, highlighting the landlocked nature of India's northeastern states and positioning Bangladesh as their 'guardian of ocean access,' have brought renewed attention to the corridor's significance and the challenges surrounding India's connectivity to the region. Yunus's statement, made during a visit to China, has sparked sharp political reactions in India, with Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh strongly condemning the remarks as offensive and provocative, accusing Bangladesh of attempting to use the Northeast as a strategic pawn. These reactions underscore the sensitivity surrounding the Siliguri Corridor and the persistent concerns about India's ability to maintain secure and reliable access to its northeastern territories.
The geopolitical importance of the Siliguri Corridor stems from its strategic location sandwiched between Nepal and Bangladesh, with Bhutan and China in close proximity. This proximity to multiple international borders makes the corridor a critical pathway for both civilian movement and military logistics. Any disruption to this route, whether through natural disasters, political instability, or external aggression, would pose a direct threat to India's territorial integrity and its ability to effectively govern and defend its northeastern states. The 2017 Doklam standoff, a military face-off between India and China near the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction, served as a stark reminder of the corridor's vulnerability and the potential for external forces to disrupt India's access to the region. China's expanding military infrastructure in the area has further heightened tensions and underscored the need for India to strengthen its defenses and explore alternative connectivity options. The reliance on a single railway line as the primary supply route through the corridor also represents a significant strategic concern, as it could be easily targeted in the event of hostilities, further isolating the northeastern states from the rest of the country. This dependency necessitates the development of more resilient and diversified transportation networks.
In response to the inherent vulnerabilities of the Siliguri Corridor and the growing geopolitical challenges in the region, India has been actively pursuing alternative routes to reduce its dependence on this narrow land passage. Under Article VIII of the India-Bangladesh Trade Agreement (1980), India has been working on establishing transit routes through Bangladesh to facilitate improved connectivity between the Northeast and the rest of the country. This initiative involves developing railway and road networks through Bangladesh, providing India with alternative access points to its northeastern territories and reducing its reliance on the Siliguri Corridor. A notable precedent for this cooperation was set in 1992 when India granted Bangladesh access to the Dahagram-Angarpota enclave through the Tin Bigha corridor, demonstrating a willingness to facilitate cross-border connectivity. More recently, during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has allowed India to utilize the Chittagong Port via South Tripura's Sabroom sub-division, which is connected to the port through the Maitree Bridge over the Feni River. This access to the Bay of Bengal provides India with a crucial maritime connection to its northeastern states, alleviating some of the pressure on the 'Chicken's Neck' bottleneck and enhancing regional trade and economic integration.
Furthermore, the development of inland waterways and multimodal transportation systems are also being explored as viable alternatives to the Siliguri Corridor. These initiatives aim to leverage the region's rivers and waterways to facilitate the movement of goods and people, creating a more diversified and resilient transportation network. The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, for example, seeks to connect Kolkata port with Sittwe port in Myanmar and then link Sittwe to Mizoram in India via river and road transport. This project, once completed, will provide India with an alternative route to access its northeastern states, bypassing the Siliguri Corridor altogether. In addition to these infrastructure projects, India is also focusing on strengthening its own internal transportation networks within the Northeast, improving road and rail connectivity between the various states and reducing their reliance on external transit routes. This includes the construction of new highways, upgrading existing roads, and expanding the railway network to remote areas of the region.
The debate surrounding the Siliguri Corridor also highlights the importance of fostering stronger regional cooperation and building trust with neighboring countries. India's relationship with Bangladesh is particularly crucial in this context, as transit routes through Bangladesh offer the most viable alternative to the 'Chicken's Neck' bottleneck. Continued dialogue and collaboration with Bangladesh are essential to ensure the smooth and secure operation of these transit routes. Building trust and confidence with local communities in the Northeast is equally important, as their support and cooperation are vital for the success of any connectivity project. Addressing concerns about land acquisition, environmental impact, and the potential disruption of traditional livelihoods is crucial to ensure that these projects are implemented in a sustainable and inclusive manner. The integration of indigenous communities in the planning and execution of these projects will not only foster a sense of ownership but also ensure that their unique perspectives and knowledge are incorporated into the development process. The future of the Siliguri Corridor and India's connectivity to its Northeast hinges on a multifaceted approach that combines strategic infrastructure development, regional cooperation, and inclusive community engagement.