State PCS - West Bengal (WBCS)

• 28 May 2025

Siliguri Corridor

Why in News? 

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma warned Dhaka against threatening India's Siliguri corridor (Chicken Neck) in West Bengal, pointing out Bangladesh's own vulnerable narrow land strips.  

Key Points 

Siliguri Corridor  

• About:  
  • The Siliguri Corridor is a narrow stretch of land, approximately 60 km long and 17–22 km wide.  
  • It is referred to as the 'Chicken Neck' due to its narrow shape.  
• Location:  
  • Located between Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, it is the only land link between India and its northeastern states.  
• Significance of Siliguri Corridor: 
  • National Security Importance: 
    • The Siliguri Corridor serves as a critical lifeline connecting mainland India to the Northeast, and any disruption in this narrow stretch could threaten national security by isolating the entire region. 
    • The corridor lies in a highly sensitive zone, flanked by Bangladesh to the south and the China-Bhutan border to the north, making it vulnerable to external threats. 
  • Military and Strategic Relevance: 
    • The corridor functions as a lifeline for the Indian Army, enabling the movement of troops and logistics to critical forward areas in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. 
    • It plays a key role in India’s defensive strategy against China, especially in light of historical conflicts like the 1962 Sino-Indian War and ongoing Line of Actual Control (LAC) tensions. 
  • Geopolitical Sensitivity: 
    • The corridor’s proximity to China’s Chumbi Valley, where India, Bhutan, and China converge, enhances its geostrategic vulnerability. 
    • In the event of an escalation, any attempt to dominate or disrupt this area could severely undermine India’s access to its Northeast, making it a critical focus of India’s regional and foreign policy. 
  • Economic Importance:  
    • Trade and Connectivity: The Siliguri Corridor acts as a vital trade lifeline, serving as a key transit route to Bhutan and Nepal, thereby strengthening cross-border commerce and regional economic integration. 
    • Tourism Gateway: It serves as a gateway to tourist hotspots like Darjeeling, Gangtok, and Bhutan, attracting domestic and international travellers.  
    • Developmental Integration: It underpins India’s Act East Policy by facilitating connectivity between Northeast and Southeast Asia, making it pivotal for unlocking trade, infrastructure, and investment opportunities in the region. 
• India’s Response and Alternative Connectivity Plans: 
  • India has been actively exploring alternative routes to reduce its dependence on the Siliguri Corridor.  
    • Under Article VIII of the India-Bangladesh Trade Agreement (1980), India has been working on transit routes through Bangladesh to facilitate better connectivity. 
  • A notable precedent was set in 1992 when India allowed Bangladesh to use the Tin Bigha corridor, enabling access to the Dahagram-Angarpota enclave.  
    • More recently, India has been developing a railway network through Bangladesh to improve connectivity between the Northeast and the rest of the country.