Yunus Highlights India’s Northeast Landlocked Status, Drawing Attention to ‘Chicken’s Neck’
Bangladesh Chief Adviser Mohammed Yunus’s comments during his China visit highlight India’s northeastern states as landlocked, raising security concerns regarding the Chicken’s Neck corridor. His invitation for China to invest in Bangladesh underscores potential geopolitical shifts that could affect India-Bangladesh relations. Indian officials reacted with caution, emphasizing the strategic significance and vulnerabilities of the Chicken’s Neck.
During his recent four-day visit to China, Bangladesh Chief Adviser Mohammed Yunus controversially addressed the strategic concerns regarding India’s northeastern states, which he referred to as “landlocked.” This remark particularly emphasized the significance of the politically sensitive “Chicken’s Neck,” a narrow corridor crucial for India’s national security. Yunus’s statements sparked security apprehensions from India, as he invited China to increase its economic engagement in Bangladesh.
During discussions with Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping, Yunus described India’s northeastern region, known as the “seven sisters,” emphasizing its geographic isolation. He stated that this region lacks direct access to oceans, positioning Bangladesh as the “only guardian of the ocean”. His statements suggest a potential opportunity for enhancing Chinese economic interests in the region, raising further security alarms for India.
The relationship between Bangladesh and China has drawn attention particularly due to concerns over debt diplomacy. With Bangladesh currently a significant debtor to China, amounting to about $7.5 billion, Yunus’s visit resulted in commitments for $2.1 billion in new investments and financial support from Chinese authorities. This evolving partnership mirrors China’s engagement in other countries, such as Sri Lanka, which have experienced significant strategic ramifications.
Reactions to Yunus’s comments have been mixed within India. Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of Prime Minister Modi’s advisory council, called for clarity on the relevance of Yunus’s remarks about the landlocked status of Indian states. Moreover, Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma condemned Yunus’s statements, highlighting the historical vulnerabilities associated with the Chicken’s Neck corridor. He proposed enhancing transport links to minimize dependency on this narrow geographical feature.
Former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla noted the importance of Bangladesh for regional stability, illustrating how the Chicken’s Neck links the northeastern states to mainland India. He acknowledged the progress made in India-Bangladesh relations, emphasizing the need to continue cooperative efforts given the strategic criticality of the Siliguri Corridor. The Chicken’s Neck serves not only as a trade route but also as a crucial military transit hub, underscoring its significant role in national security.
The Chicken’s Neck, also identified as the Siliguri Corridor, is a narrow land connector in northern West Bengal, measuring approximately 22 kilometers at its narrowest section. This vital region links the northeastern states—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura—to the rest of India, serving as the primary artery for trade and military movement. Its strategic importance has, thus, become even more pronounced amidst ongoing geopolitical shifts.
In summary, Mohammed Yunus’s remarks during his visit to China have raised significant security concerns for India regarding the landlocked northeastern states and the strategically vital Chicken’s Neck corridor. With Bangladesh seeking to enhance its ties with China, India is compelled to address the implications of such partnerships on regional stability. The importance of robust infrastructure and alternative routes through the Chicken’s Neck is critical to ensuring national security and maintaining strategic connections with the northeastern states.
Original Source: www.news18.com
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