Understanding the Dire Warning from Assam’s CM on Bangladesh Crisis and India’s ‘Chicken’s Neck’

The geopolitical landscape of South Asia is always complex, but recent remarks by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have sent ripples through national security circles. Addressing the escalating Bangladesh crisis, CM Sarma made a startling statement: India might one day ‘have to take 20-22 km of land’ to secure its vital interests, specifically referencing the precarious ‘Chicken’s Neck’ – the Siliguri Corridor.

The Growing Concern: Bangladesh Unrest and Assam’s Security

The CM’s statement underscores deep-seated concerns about the potential spillover effects of internal unrest in Bangladesh. For Assam, which shares a long and often porous border with Bangladesh, stability in the neighbouring country is paramount for Assam security. Historically, the region has grappled with issues like Bangladeshi infiltration, which many believe poses a significant demographic and security challenge to the state and the wider Northeast India security threats landscape.

India’s Vulnerable Lifeline: The Siliguri Corridor

At the heart of CM Sarma’s warning lies the Siliguri corridor, a narrow strip of land barely 22 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. This strategic chokehold, famously known as India’s ‘Chicken’s Neck,’ is the only land bridge connecting the seven Northeastern states to the rest of India. Its vulnerability to any external threat or internal instability, particularly from a volatile border, is a constant source of anxiety for India’s defense planners. Any disruption to this corridor could effectively cut off the entire Northeast, making India’s chicken neck vulnerability a top national security concern.

Himanta Biswa Sarma on Bangladesh Unrest: A Call for Strategic Preparedness

While the prospect of territorial adjustments is a drastic measure, Himanta Biswa Sarma on Bangladesh unrest highlights the urgency and gravity with which India views its eastern borders. The ‘take 20-22 km of land’ comment, though provocative, serves as a stark reminder of the extreme measures a nation might consider if its core security interests and territorial integrity are perceived to be under direct threat from regional instability.

This critical juncture calls for robust diplomatic engagement, heightened border vigilance, and proactive strategic planning to ensure that the delicate balance of peace and security in the region is maintained, safeguarding both Assam and the entirety of Northeast India from potential future crises emanating from across the border.

Source: Original Article