The Silliguri Corridor, a narrow stretch of land in West Bengal, is India's lifeline to the Northeast. And this strategic chokepoint is under threat, like never before.
The Siliguri Corridor, as it's called, is 22 km wide and 60 km long. It's wedged between Bangladesh to the south and Nepal to the North.
It's the sole terrestrial route linking the Seven Sisters and Sikkim to the rest of India.
And remember, India's Northeast is landlocked -- between Bangladesh, Myanmar and China.
That makes the Siliguri Corridor the only route to transport food, fuel, and essential supplies to about 45 million people.
It also facilitates trade with Nepal and Bhutan, and serves as a conduit to Southeast Asian markets.
Chokepoint Siliguri Corridor
To the northeast, just beyond Bhutan, lies China’s Chumbi Valley-- a highly militarised stretch, where Beijing has positioned weapons and troops, uncomfortably close to Indian territory.
With an advance of just 130 km, Chinese military could reach the Siliguri corridor.
It would be simple enough to blockade this uniquely exposed and critical passage, and to cut off the Northeast from the rest of India.
That's why its also called the Chicken’s Neck—a metaphor that describes both its slender shape and strategic vulnerability.
But military planners have flagged this vulnerability for decades.
So why do we say the threat is bigger than ever before? It's because of Bangladesh.
Historically a staunch ally, Dhaka used to work closely with New Delhi on counterterrorism, connectivity and regional stability.
It helped counter both external and internal threats to the Siliguri Corridor.
Anti-India voices
Back in Bangladesh, things changed with the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.
The interim government under Mohammad Yunus ceased cooperation with India, mended ties with Pakistan, and is courting China.
“The eastern part of India, known as the Seven Sisters, is landlocked. They have no access to the ocean. We are the only guardians of the ocean in this region. This opens up huge possibilities.” Mohammad Yunus said.
During a visit to China in early 2025, Yunus made a startling remark on how India's Northeast is landlocked. He suggested the situation opened up huge possibilities for Bangladesh, as the guardians of the ocean in the region.
New Delhi took those comments as a thinly veiled threat against the Siliguri Corridor. And stepped up measures to secure the Chicken’s Neck.
The Army has set up three new garrisons in the Eastern Frontier -- Bihar’s Kishanganj, West Bengal’s Chopra, and near Dhubri in Assam.
There are plans for further bases in Mizoram.
All this while fortifying the Bangladesh border.
