Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that those threatening India over the ‘Chicken Neck’ corridor should note that Bangladesh also has two ‘Chicken Necks,’ which are far more vulnerable.
Bangladesh Chicken Neck: Geopolitical tensions between India and Bangladesh have taken a new turn. Assam's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, issued a direct warning to Bangladesh on Sunday (May 25, 2025), via a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He stated that those repeatedly threatening India over the ‘Chicken Neck Corridor’ should understand that Bangladesh also possesses two such corridors, which are significantly more vulnerable.
In his post, Sarma wrote that those threatening India regarding the Siliguri Corridor should remember that Bangladesh also has two extremely narrow geographical passages. Disruption in either could severely destabilize Bangladesh's internal systems. He clarified that he was stating a geographical fact, not issuing a threat.
What is India’s ‘Chicken Neck’ Corridor?
The Siliguri Corridor, commonly known as the ‘Chicken Neck,’ is a critically important geographical strip for India. Ranging from 22 to 35 kilometers in width, it stretches around the city of Siliguri in West Bengal. This narrow strip connects mainland India to its northeastern states. This makes the area strategically and militarily sensitive for India. Recently, Bangladesh has made statements and issued indirect threats regarding this ‘Chicken Neck,’ prompting Sarma's direct response.
Bangladesh’s Two ‘Chicken Neck’ Corridors, Also Crucial for India
Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted two geographical areas within Bangladesh that are even more vulnerable than India's Siliguri Corridor. The first is the Northern Bangladesh Corridor, extending from Dakshin Dinajpur to the southwest Garo Hills. Approximately 80 kilometers long, any disruption in this area would completely isolate Bangladesh's Rangpur Division from the rest of the country. In other words, isolating this region from the rest of Bangladesh would be relatively easy if a strategic obstacle were created.
The second is the Chittagong Corridor, stretching from South Tripura to the Bay of Bengal. Only 28 kilometers long, it's shorter than India's Siliguri Corridor. This corridor connects Bangladesh's economic capital, Chittagong, to its political capital, Dhaka. Disruption here could significantly impact Bangladesh's entire economic system and political structure. Sarma emphasized that these are geographical facts that Bangladesh should not ignore.
Sarma’s Clear Message: Bangladesh Should Think Before Threatening India
The Assam Chief Minister clearly stated that Bangladeshi leaders threatening India over the ‘Chicken Neck’ issue should not forget their own country's sensitive areas. He emphasized that India is a peace-loving nation, but repeated such statements would leave India with options to respond. Sarma clarified his intention was to highlight geographical facts so that the Bangladeshi government and strategists understand their vulnerabilities.
Strategic Importance for India and Bangladesh
The Siliguri Corridor's importance to India stems from its 22-35 kilometer width, connecting West Bengal to India's seven northeastern states (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura). Any disruption to this corridor could completely cut off contact with Northeast India. Given its proximity to neighboring countries like China and Bangladesh, this area has always been strategically sensitive. Similarly, Bangladesh's two ‘Chicken Neck’ corridors are crucial from India's perspective due to their geographical proximity to the border, and any disruption could destabilize Bangladesh internally.
