India sees 'chicken neck' as a measure of 'military strength' and never a weak link as media reports often suggest. Forces deployed in the seven Northeast states, Sikkim and West Bengal can be mobilised within a short spell.
From Dhaka there was provocation more than once. Radicals supported by Pakistan's ISI are doing so and the incumbent Yunus regime is backing them.
Maj Gen (retired) ALM Fazlur Rahman, a former head of the Bangladesh Rifles, made such provocative remarks, He wrote on Facebook,
"If India attacks Pakistan, Bangladesh should occupy seven states of Northeast India. In this regard, I think it is necessary to start a discussion on a joint military system with China."
** Pointers
Pakistan has been a time-tested ally of China, Now Bangladesh-Pakistan relationship is improved.
* How much of it is result oriented remains to be seen !!
Historically, South Asia has been dominated by India in terms of geography, demography, economy, and political clout.
** But China has emerged as a powerful actor challenging India's traditional dominance.
Beijing strategy has been to employ a combination of economic incentives, infrastructure investment, and strategic diplomacy.
India believes being Cooperative and not confrontational.
New Delhi's diplomacy is matured enough to take note of these and act wisely. The strategic policy makers and the engine room that is PMO are also sensitive and most often pro-active about South Asia and security related matters.
The Siliguri Corridor, a 22-kilometre-wide strip in North Bengal, connects the rest of India with its seven northeastern states.
Nepal, Bhutan, China and Bangladesh are adjoining and surrounding this area.
Since Yunus took charge following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, Bangladesh’s policy direction has been anti-India.
Dhaka has made overtures to Beijing/China for investments and took a number of measures to reboot ties with Islamabad/Pakistan. Intelligence assessments describe this as part of a strategic attempt to “reshape the power balance” in the eastern neighbourhood.
Even the US 'deep state' is inclined to potentially affect the security of the Siliguri Corridor.
With three garrisons set up on Bangladesh border; India fortifies Chicken's Neck
As it is due to multiple reasons, Bangladesh has been depending a lot of Indian assistance on energy and defence.
The erstwhile Sheikh Hasina government since 2009 has been accused for being 'extra' India-leaning. This is half truth definitely. We may call it a mix of gratitude and hardcore strategic diplomacy. The Awami League regime appreciated India's chaotic democracy to military-commanded Pakistan.
Moreover, for all practical purpose India is the 'big local dada' in the region.
The incumbent Bangladesh government may not agree. But a big sized economy such as India with three borders have helped it from time to time to tie over the crises. Firstly; growth in Bangladesh was hit by a number of domestic issues, including a faltering economy.
Making things difficult for the Yunus regime and some of the sinister planners; India has fortified its eastern border by establishing three new military garrisons along the Indo-Bangladesh frontier to secure the strategic Siliguri Corridor.
Target is to 'enhance' surveillance and rapid response capabilities in areas connecting mainland India to its northeast states especially Mizoram, Assam and Tripura.
In these blogs we have examined how Tripura may face acute shortage of footsoldiers in the event of some major eventuality along the borders. These aspects have been attended to, sources say.
India has strengthened its eastern frontier by setting up three new fully operational military garrisons along the Indo-Bangladesh border, at
Bamuni (near Dhubri),
Kishanganj, and Chopra, to secure the strategic Siliguri Corridor.
Considering the vulnerability of the entire expanded sub-region spread over different states; the Govt of India is likely to opt for the idea of building railway lines through Jogbani in Bihar.
This line would enter Biratnagar in Nepal and then connect with New Mal Junction in West Bengal.
The development comes amid reports of increased engagement between Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan’s military establishment, including a recent meeting with Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Sahir Shamshad Mirza.
‘CHICKEN’S NECK IS OUR STRONGEST LINK’
The new garrisons will enhance our quick mobility, logistics, and real-time intelligence integration.
Not long ago, Indian Army Chief had remarked, “As far as the Chicken’s Neck is concerned, I see it from a different perspective. It is our strongest region".
Now, what is important is that ::: -
# India must not fall into the trap of isolationism or coercive diplomacy.
# Instead, it must double down on its strengths—its democratic values, economic potential, scientific achievements, and civilizational links.
# India has a unique role to play in leading by example. It must be proactive and not necessarily reactive.
ends
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