Attention has once again turned to the “Chicken’s Neck” — the narrow Siliguri Corridor that connects India’s northeast to the mainland — with the construction of three new military garrisons and an air power demonstration by the Indian Air Force in Guwahati.
Given the evolving dynamics between China and India, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India’s increased military presence along the eastern frontier is being viewed as a strategic response to China’s construction of missile silos and fortified villages near the border.
The Siliguri Corridor, which runs through West Bengal and borders Bangladesh, Nepal, China’s Chumbi Valley in Tibet, and the Kingdom of Bhutan, is just 17 kilometres wide at its narrowest point.
As the sole land link between India and its eight northeastern states, the Siliguri Corridor — stretching from the Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Terai regions of West Bengal towards the northeast — holds immense strategic importance.
Beijing is reportedly constructing at least two fortified air defence installations in the Tibet Autonomous Region, according to recent reports backed by satellite imagery and analysis from Planet Labs, a commercial geospatial intelligence company.
Retractable roof shelters designed to conceal missile launch systems are being incorporated into these structures. By allowing launches from within, these shelters provide significant protection against detection and possible enemy strikes.
China’s increasing defence cooperation with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor has also raised concern among Indian defence planners. Speaking to the media, Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustenance), observed that the China–Pakistan defence partnership has advanced beyond traditional arms transfers.
He expressed concern that Beijing appears to be using its close relationship with Islamabad as a testing ground for new technologies including advanced weapons platforms and surveillance systems in real-world combat situations.
“We have one border and two adversaries. Pakistan is at the front, and China provides every possible support. Nearly 81 per cent of Pakistan’s military hardware is Chinese.
China is able to test its weapons against others — it’s like having a live laboratory. When DGMO-level talks were underway, Pakistan had real-time updates about our key vectors from China,” he said.
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi recently described the corridor, often called India’s “chokepoint” due to its critical position, as the nation’s “strongest defence corridor.”
He remarked that the Indian Armed Forces now view the Siliguri Corridor through a renewed strategic lens, emphasizing that troops from West Bengal, Sikkim, and the Northeast can swiftly mobilize in the region in the event of an attack from the north.
Already home to Rafale fighter jets, BrahMos missile regiments, and S-400 air defence systems, the region has recently seen the establishment of three key military garrisons — at Bamuni (near Dhubri, Assam), Kishanganj (Bihar), and Chopra (North Dinajpur, West Bengal).
The Lachit Barphukan Military Station in Bamuni will operate under the 4 Corps (Gajraj Corps), headquartered in Tezpur, Assam. The base will serve as a hub for technical intelligence, surveillance, area control, and counter-infiltration operations.
To enhance connectivity and operational readiness, two additional forward bases are being built. The Kishanganj base in Bihar will ensure rapid troop deployment and logistical support, while the Chopra base, under the Brahmastra Corps, will coordinate intelligence and response operations along the border.
After reviewing troop deployments at Chopra, Eastern Army Commander Lieutenant General R.C. Tiwari laid the foundation stone for the Bamuni station on November 7. These garrisons are expected to improve coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF) and fill critical gaps along the 4,096-kilometre India–Bangladesh border, thereby bolstering India’s defence posture in the east.
Highlighting the significance of the region’s growing military strength, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on X after the IAF’s Guwahati air show: “Thank you, Guwahati, for turning out in full strength to witness the spectacular @IAF_MCC #FlyingDisplay2025!
The Northeast’s first-ever air show was a breathtaking display of strength, skill, and spirit. Your overwhelming support for Bharat’s Air Warriors — so close to the Chicken’s Neck and four international borders — will give sleepless nights to our enemies.”
Beyond its military importance, the Siliguri Corridor remains vital for trade, transportation, and regional development. It serves as the anchor of an intricate rail and road network linking West Bengal to Assam, Nagaland, Sikkim, and other northeastern states — and underpins India’s logistical infrastructure along the LAC.
Numerous routes extend from the New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station, a crucial junction in North Bengal. One main line leads to Guwahati in Assam, from which a road network connects to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, a strategically significant town near the Chinese border.