China’s Revival of a World War II-Era Airbase in Bangladesh Near India’s Border: Strategic Implications and Regional Tensions
In recent months, significant attention has been drawn to reports that China is assisting Bangladesh in reviving the long-dormant World War II-era airbase at Lalmonirhat, located in close proximity to the Indian border. This development, just 12–15 kilometers from Indian territory and about 135 kilometers from the Siliguri Corridor—India’s critical “Chicken’s Neck”—has sparked fresh concerns in New Delhi and among Indian strategic analysts. The situation underscores evolving geopolitics in South Asia, where infrastructure, defense ties, and diplomatic maneuvers shape the regional security architecture.
The Historical Context of Lalmonirhat Airbase
The Lalmonirhat airbase, originally built and used by Allied forces during World War II, has long been inactive and seen as a relic of a bygone era. However, its strategic value, given its location near India’s vulnerable corridor to the northeast, has never entirely disappeared. The Siliguri Corridor—just a narrow strip of land connecting India’s seven northeastern states to the rest of the country—is widely regarded as one of India’s most sensitive strategic chokepoints. Any foreign military infrastructure or potential dual-use facility near this corridor is bound to trigger alarm in Indian security circles.
China’s Expanding Footprint in Bangladesh
China’s involvement in the proposed revival of the Lalmonirhat airbase is not an isolated move but part of a broader pattern. Over the past decade, Beijing has emerged as Bangladesh’s largest arms supplier, providing advanced fighter jets, artillery, naval vessels, and missile systems. Joint military exercises between the two nations have increased, symbolizing a deepening strategic partnership.
Beyond defense, China has invested heavily in Bangladesh’s infrastructure, including roads, railways, bridges, and airports, under its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). These projects have bolstered economic ties and increased China’s leverage in the country. The renewed interest in the Lalmonirhat airbase—officially presented as a civilian infrastructure upgrade—must therefore be seen in the wider context of China’s economic and strategic engagement in South Asia.
Strategic and Military Implications for India
Indian officials and security experts view the Chinese-backed revival of the Lalmonirhat airbase as a serious security concern. The proximity of the airbase to the Siliguri Corridor raises fears that the facility, even if initially used for civilian purposes, could quickly be adapted for military or surveillance activities. This could facilitate intelligence-gathering operations against India or enable rapid deployment of military assets in the event of heightened tensions.
The “Chicken’s Neck” itself is only about 22 kilometers wide at its narrowest point, making it a strategic vulnerability. In any conflict scenario, this corridor could become a focal point, and any hostile presence in the immediate vicinity—especially involving a powerful adversary like China—would complicate India’s defense calculus. Analysts worry that, over time, Chinese influence over Bangladeshi defense infrastructure could result in Beijing gaining direct access to facilities near India’s most sensitive regions.
Regional Geopolitics and the ‘String of Pearls’ Strategy
The move fits into China’s much-discussed “String of Pearls” strategy, whereby Beijing seeks to establish a network of military and commercial facilities across the Indian Ocean and South Asia. These “pearls”—from Gwadar in Pakistan to Hambantota in Sri Lanka and Kyaukpyu in Myanmar—could potentially be used to encircle India, enhancing China’s ability to project power in the region and challenge New Delhi’s traditional sphere of influence.
Bangladesh, so far, has insisted that the revived airbase is purely for civilian aviation and development. However, Indian defense planners remain skeptical, pointing out that dual-use infrastructure is a classic tactic in China’s overseas expansion playbook. Such facilities can quickly be reconfigured for military use if the political situation changes.
India’s Response and Heightened Diplomatic Sensitivities
India has responded to these developments with a mix of diplomatic caution and stern warnings. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made headlines recently by asserting that any attempt by Bangladesh to threaten the Siliguri Corridor would be met with reciprocal action against Bangladesh’s own vulnerable corridors. While Sarma’s comments are a warning, they also reflect the depth of anxiety in India’s strategic community over the growing China-Bangladesh nexus.
New Delhi is also likely to intensify diplomatic engagement with Dhaka to seek clarity on the airbase’s future and to dissuade Bangladesh from actions that could destabilize the region. Quiet but persistent pressure on Bangladesh to maintain strategic autonomy and avoid overdependence on China is expected to continue.
Shifting Balances and the Importance of Vigilance
The revival of the Lalmonirhat airbase, with potential Chinese backing, serves as a microcosm of larger shifts taking place across South Asia. As China invests in infrastructure, builds defense ties, and deepens its influence in India’s neighborhood, New Delhi faces new tests to its strategic patience and preparedness.
For Bangladesh, balancing relations with China and India is both an opportunity and a tightrope walk. Economic development and infrastructure upgrades are vital, but the optics and implications of Chinese involvement in sensitive border regions cannot be ignored.
In the coming months and years, how this airbase project unfolds—and how India, Bangladesh, and China navigate the resulting tensions—will be watched closely across the region and beyond. For now, Lalmonirhat stands as a symbol of the changing face of Asian geopolitics, where the echoes of World War II-era strategies blend with the realities of a 21st-century struggle for influence and security.
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