'India can retaliate...': Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma counters Bangladesh's Chicken's-Neck poke

Himanta Biswa Sarma

Amid concerns following reports that China is aiding Bangladesh in reviving World War II airbase at Lalmonirhat, close to the Indian border in Siliguri, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday issued a chilling warning to Bangladesh -- reminding Dhaka of its own geographic vulnerabilities amid rising strategic tensions in the region.

Sarma said that if Bangladesh targets India's Chicken's Neck, New Delhi would retaliate by targeting both the Chicken's Necks of Bangladesh. His statement comes amid increased concerns following a reports that China is aiding Dhaka  in reviving an WWII airbase at Lalmonirhat located close to the Indian border near Siliguri. The defunct airbase is under the control of Bangladesh Air Force, but inactive for decades.

Why Sarma feels that India is better positioned to block Dhaka's two Chicken's Neck

The Siliguri Corridor that connects the northeast with mainland India is referred to as Chicken's Neck and is roughly 20-22 km. "See, we have one Chicken's Neck. But Bangladesh has two Chicken's Necks. If Bangladesh attacks our Chicken's Neck, we will attack both the Chicken's Necks of Bangladesh... The Chicken's Neck of Bangladesh, the one in Meghalaya connecting Chittagong port in Bangladesh is even thinner than India's Chicken's Neck and is located just a stone's throw away," Sarma told media in Guwahati.

Sarma's comments in light of heightened regional tensions

This heightened tensiomns comes at the wake of the attack. Sarma's statement comes amid heightened regional tensions, following comments made by Mohammed Yunus during his recent visit to China. Yunus described India's seven northeastern states as a "landlocked region" with no access to the ocean and suggested that China should expand its economic footprint in Bangladesh.

"No country should be under the impression that it can take over the Chicken's Neck. The world has seen India's military prowess during Operation Sindoor," Sarma declared, responding to growing concerns over provocative activities by a Dhaka-based Turkish Islamist group, ‘Saltanat-e-Bangla’. The group has recently circulated maps of a proposed ‘Greater Bangladesh’ that includes India’s eastern and northeastern regions.

China's involvement in reviving Lalmonirhat airbase?

According to a report in The Economic Times, China’s involvement in reviving Bangladesh’s Lalmonirhat airbase, close to India’s ‘Chicken’s Neck’ corridor, raises strategic concerns. The airbase, near the vital Siliguri Corridor linking India’s northeast, could increase vulnerabilities if used for military purposes. This development ties into China’s broader expansion of advanced airbases along the Himalayan frontier, including upgraded facilities near the Line of Actual Control.

The airbase, near the vital Siliguri Corridor linking India’s northeast, could increase vulnerabilities if used for military purposes. This development ties into China’s broader expansion of advanced airbases along the Himalayan frontier, including upgraded facilities near the Line of Actual Control.

What are Bangladesh's two 'Chicken Necks'?

Himanta referred to two narrow land corridors inside Bangladesh that hold strategic and economic significance — and potential vulnerability. There are two corridors The Chittagong corridor, the Rangpur corridor.

The Chittagong corridor connects Bangladesh's mainland to Chittagong, its largest port city. The land distance from Sabroom in south Tripura to Mirsharai Upazila in Bangladesh is about 30 km. Blocking this corridor would isolate Chittagong — which handles over 90% of Bangladesh's external trade — from the rest of the country. "The shortest distance between the “landlocked” Indian state of Tripura and the sea is 30km. Of course cuts across Bangladesh. It’s also narrowest distance from the larger mass of Bangladesh and its eastern division of Chittagong," said Yusuf Unjhawala, an adjunct scholar.

The Rangpur corridor lies between Meghalaya's South West Garo Hills and South Dinajpur in West Bengal, with Bangladesh's Rangpur division in between. The stretch spans roughly 90 km and represents another narrow link between various administrative regions in Bangladesh. "Their 'Chicken's Neck' near Meghalaya to Chittagong Port is much smaller than ours and can be choked by throwing even a ring," Sarma said.