Is China Eyeing India’s Chicken Neck Bangladesh’s Move Raises Alarms.

Bengal : In a development that has set off strategic alarm bells in India, China’s expanding influence in South Asia has received a major boost through Bangladesh. Dhaka has reportedly approved a deal allowing China to develop and operate a strategic port facility near the Bay of Bengal — close to India’s vulnerable “Chicken Neck” or Siliguri Corridor. This narrow stretch of land connects mainland India to its northeastern states and is considered a critical point of national security.

Security analysts in New Delhi are increasingly worried that such a move could give Beijing the opportunity to gain proximity to India’s most sensitive geographical region. Often referred to as India’s Achilles’ heel, the Chicken Neck is barely 22 kilometers wide and vital for troop movement, logistics, and supplies to the northeast.

The Chinese port project is believed to be part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which India has consistently opposed due to its strategic and sovereignty-related implications. What makes this situation even more concerning is the reported construction of an airbase with assistance from Pakistan in the same area, indicating a possible triangular alliance aimed at surrounding India from multiple fronts.

While the Bangladeshi government insists that the agreement is purely for trade and economic development, Indian defense experts believe otherwise. They argue that China’s port developments — be it in Sri Lanka’s Hambantota or Pakistan’s Gwadar — often carry dual-use capabilities. These ports, while functioning as commercial hubs, can be swiftly repurposed for military logistics in times of conflict.

Sources in the Indian defense establishment confirm that top-level meetings have been held to reassess regional preparedness and enhance surveillance along the eastern corridor. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard are also closely monitoring maritime movements in the Bay of Bengal region. Additionally, diplomatic channels have been activated to communicate India’s concerns to Bangladesh in a constructive manner.

As China deepens its footprint in the Indian subcontinent through infrastructural and economic partnerships, India faces a fresh set of geopolitical challenges. The developments not only test India’s neighborhood diplomacy but also highlight the need for stronger regional alliances and increased infrastructural investment in its own northeastern region.