Strategic Artery Still Poses Significant Risk: Kamal Davar on Siliguri Corridor
The Siliguri Corridor, colloquially known as "Chicken's Neck," is a narrow strip of land approximately 20–22 km wide in North Bengal, linking mainland India to its northeastern states. This region carries significant geopolitical, military, economic, and security weight for India.
So what makes the Siliguri Corridor so important? Well, geographically sandwiched between Nepal to the west, Bhutan to the north, and Bangladesh to the south, it's a vulnerable chokepoint. Any turmoil, blockade, or disturbance here would isolate the whole Northeast region, impacting over 40-45 million people and potentially threatening India's territorial sovereignty.
The proximity to China is another factor that adds to its geostrategic significance. The corridor lies near China's Chumbi Valley tri-junction with India and Bhutan, making it exceptionally susceptible to pressure and military threats in light of China's increasing presence in South Asia and past standoffs, such as the 2017 Doklam standoff near Bhutan.
Given India's complicated relationships with its regional neighbors, it's vital to maintain a firm grip on the corridor to navigate geopolitical dynamics like shifting policies in Bangladesh that may pose indirect challenges.
From a military perspective, the Siliguri Corridor serves as a critical defense lifeline, enabling troop and equipment movement to the northeastern states. In the event of a conflict with China or any other adversary, securing this corridor becomes crucial for defense preparedness and rapid mobilization. However, its narrowness makes it a strategic pressure point, and any disruption could severely restrict India’s ability to reinforce and supply the northeastern states.
The corridor's economic importance isn't to be underestimated, either. Approximately 95% of exports from northeastern states like Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh pass through the corridor. It also acts as a key transit route facilitating commerce with Bhutan and Nepal, which is essential for regional economic integration. The corridor supports India's "Act East Policy," connecting the Northeast to Southeast Asia, propping up trade, infrastructure development, tourism, and investment flows, and unlocking the economic potential of a historically isolated region.
Finally, the corridor's security is vital for ensuring internal stability in the Northeast. The corridor's disruption could exacerbate regional unrest by cutting off administrative and economic support from the mainland. Maintaining diplomatic influence over Bangladesh and Myanmar is essential to secure alternative transit options and mitigate the corridor's vulnerability to blockades or geopolitical coercion.
In conclusion, the Siliguri Corridor is a geostrategic chokepoint for India with profound military, economic, and security implications. Its narrow width, strategic location, and complicated relationships with neighbors make it a constant geopolitical challenge. India must maintain vigilance, diversify connectivity, and strengthen defense infrastructure to preserve access, regional stability, and national integrity.
The Siliguri Corridor, due to its geostrategic location and proximity to China, becomes a significant focus in regional politics and international general news. Any tension, war-and-conflicts, or disturbances in this area could not only impact a vast population but also threaten India's territorial sovereignty and military readiness, given its role as a critical defense lifeline.
