Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has stirred the geopolitical discourse by issuing a strong rebuttal to those repeatedly issuing threats regarding India’s Siliguri Corridor, famously referred to as the “Chicken Neck”. In a sharp message posted on X (formerly Twitter), he not only defended India’s strategic position but also flipped the narrative by highlighting Bangladesh’s own geographic vulnerabilities.

What is the Siliguri Corridor?

India’s Siliguri Corridor is a narrow stretch of land in West Bengal, also dubbed the "Chicken Neck", which serves as the sole land link between mainland India and its northeastern states. This corridor is approximately 22 to 35 km wide and extremely vital from a logistical and defense standpoint, making it a frequent topic in strategic discussions.

Because of its importance and vulnerability, this corridor is often targeted in hypothetical geopolitical threats by those looking to undermine India’s territorial connectivity. However, CM Sarma reminded that those making such threats should be equally cautious about their own vulnerabilities.

Bangladesh’s Own “Chicken Necks”

In his post, Himanta Biswa Sarma pointed out that Bangladesh is embedded with two narrow corridors of strategic significance — both far more vulnerable than India’s Siliguri Corridor.

1. North Bangladesh Corridor

The first corridor, as highlighted by Sarma, is the 80 km North Bangladesh Corridor, which stretches from Dakhin Dinajpur (India) to South West Garo Hills (India).

• This corridor is critical because any disruption here would completely isolate the Rangpur division in the northern part of Bangladesh from the rest of the country.

• According to CM Sarma, this corridor is far more fragile than India’s Chicken Neck and hasn’t been given as much public scrutiny as it deserves.

• A blockade or conflict in this zone could have significant implications for Bangladesh’s internal connectivity and national security.

2. Chittagong Corridor

The second corridor, referred to as the Chittagong Corridor, is just 28 km long and connects South Tripura (India) to the Bay of Bengal, running parallel to Bangladesh’s coastline.

• CM Sarma noted that this narrow passage serves as the only land link between Bangladesh’s political capital, Dhaka, and its economic capital, Chittagong.

• If disrupted, it would severely impact Bangladesh’s trade, logistics, and governmental operations.

• This corridor is smaller in size than India’s Siliguri stretch, but strategically more delicate due to the concentration of key assets and population centers.

Strategic Parity in Geography

Through this comparison, CM Sarma sought to reframe the strategic narrative, reminding neighboring countries and observers that India is not alone in possessing geographically sensitive regions.

“I am only presenting geographical facts that some may tend to forget. Just like India's Siliguri Corridor, our neighbouring country is also embedded with two narrow corridors of theirs,” he wrote.

This shift in tone indicates an attempt to de-escalate rhetoric surrounding the Chicken Neck while asserting that mutual vulnerabilities should lead to diplomatic caution rather than military provocation.

Why This Matters in Regional Security

Sarma’s statement is not a mere political post. It serves multiple strategic purposes:

• Asserting India's territorial confidence: By highlighting others' weaknesses, Sarma aims to reinforce India’s defense preparedness and strategic depth.

• Deterring hostile narratives: Constant threats to the Siliguri Corridor are now being countered with factual rebuttals, possibly signaling a more assertive Indian posture in regional affairs.

• Promoting regional sensitivity: The remarks encourage geographic empathy — an understanding that fragile geographies exist on both sides of the border, not just in India.

Political Undertones and Timing

These remarks come at a time when border issues and corridor security are being widely discussed in South Asian diplomatic and defense circles. While India and Bangladesh generally share warm ties, frequent commentary from certain quarters regarding India’s chicken neck corridor have added tension.

CM Sarma’s remarks could be seen as a message to hawkish voices — both within Bangladesh and possibly other nations — who tend to use geography as a bargaining chip in diplomacy.

Moreover, the timing is noteworthy. With growing concerns over Chinese interest in strategic choke points and India’s push for improved border infrastructure, such reminders could be intended to shore up domestic and diplomatic support for stronger regional vigilance.

Conclusion

In sum, Himanta Biswa Sarma’s geographical reminder serves as a strategic warning cloaked in factual language. By highlighting Bangladesh’s North Corridor and Chittagong Corridor, he not only refutes the one-sided narrative about the Siliguri Corridor but also brings parity to the conversation around geographic vulnerabilities in South Asia.

This balanced strategic insight is a reminder that peace and cooperation must prevail over habitual threats, especially when the stakes involve critical infrastructure and regional stability.

As South Asia continues to evolve in its geopolitical landscape, such statements could reshape regional discourse, urging all stakeholders to respect shared vulnerabilities and mutual security.

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