India’s Chicken’s Neck: From Vulnerability to Fortified Lifeline
The Siliguri Corridor, popularly known as India’s “Chicken’s Neck,” is a narrow strip of land in West Bengal, measuring just 20-22 kilometers at its narrowest point. This critical geographical feature serves as the sole terrestrial link between mainland India and its eight northeastern states—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura—home to over 50 million people. Bordered by Nepal to the west, Bangladesh to the south, Bhutan to the north, and in close proximity to China’s Chumbi Valley, the corridor has long been viewed as a strategic vulnerability. Any disruption here could isolate the Northeast, severing vital supply lines, military access, and economic connectivity.
In recent months, amid shifting geopolitics in the region—particularly Bangladesh’s interim government under Muhammad Yunus deepening ties with China and Pakistan—the corridor has come under renewed scrutiny. Reports of increased Chinese infrastructure involvement in northern Bangladesh, including the revival of airbases, and Pakistan’s enhanced military engagement with Dhaka have heightened concerns about potential multi-directional threats.
Responding decisively, India has fortified the corridor with three new military garrisons established in late 2025. The most significant is the Lachit Borphukan Military Station at Bamuni near Dhubri in Assam—the first major Army base along Assam’s border with Bangladesh. Named after the legendary Ahom general, this installation accommodates around 1,500 personnel, including specialized units for rapid response and surveillance. Complementing it are forward bases at Kishanganj in Bihar and Chopra in West Bengal, designed for swift troop deployment and intelligence coordination.
These garrisons fall under the oversight of the Trishakti Corps (33 Corps), headquartered at Sukna near Siliguri. The corps already commands advanced assets, including Rafale fighter jets at Hasimara airbase, BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, S-400 and Akash air-defense systems, and T-90 tanks. Military officials describe the corridor not as a weakness but as India’s “strongest defence corridor,” enabling multi-layered security and quick mobilization from multiple directions.
The timing reflects broader regional tensions. Bangladesh’s political changes following the ouster of the pro-India Sheikh Hasina government in 2024 have led to closer alignment with Beijing and Islamabad, raising fears of a potential “squeeze” on the corridor combining pressure from China in the north and instability from the south.
Prominent journalist Arnab Goswami highlighted these concerns in a high-profile debate on Republic TV on December 26, 2025, titled “The Critical Importance of Chicken’s Neck And Need To Secure It.” Under the hashtag #SaveChickensNeck, Goswami emphasized the corridor’s role as India’s lifeline, questioning whether enough is being done amid threats from hostile neighbors and calling for heightened vigilance and further fortification to safeguard national integrity.
While the corridor remains a geopolitical flashpoint, India’s proactive measures—new bases, advanced weaponry, and enhanced readiness—signal a shift toward resilience. As regional dynamics evolve, securing the Chicken’s Neck underscores the priority of protecting India’s territorial unity and strategic depth in the East.
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