The Voice News:India has significantly ramped up its military presence in the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the “Chicken’s Neck” — a narrow but crucial stretch connecting mainland India with its northeastern states. As part of this strategic buildup, India has deployed French-made Rafale fighter jets and Russian S-400 air defense systems in the region.
According to Indian media outlet Zee News, the corridor is only 20–22 kilometers wide and sits at the intersection of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and China, making it a highly sensitive and strategically vital area.
India’s shift in strategic focus—from its western border with Pakistan to the eastern front—is driven by growing concerns over China and recent political changes in Bangladesh.
Analysts suggest that recent Chinese military exercises near the Bhutan border and the political transition in Bangladesh, under an interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, have triggered India’s heightened vigilance. Reports indicating that the new Bangladeshi leadership may lean toward China and Pakistan have intensified Indian concerns.
Further adding to India’s anxiety is Bangladesh’s reported interest in acquiring up to 32 Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 fighter jets, equipped with AESA radar, electronic warfare pods, and long-range missiles—posing a potential threat to Indian airbases in the north.
India is also closely monitoring recent visits by Pakistani delegations to Dhaka and their discussions on intelligence cooperation, which have added to the sensitivity of the situation.
To counter these developments, India is reinforcing its eastern defense infrastructure. The deployment of Rafale squadrons at Hasimara Air Base and S-400 systems capable of neutralizing threats within a 400-kilometer range is seen not only as a strategic measure but also as a clear warning.
India’s military is currently developing a Multi-Zone Deterrence Doctrine, focusing on real-time surveillance (ISR), cyber-electronic warfare, joint force coordination, and rapid infrastructure development—such as road, rail, and tunnel networks—around the Siliguri corridor.
India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “We are closely monitoring the situation in the eastern region and will not hesitate to take decisions in the interest of national security.”
The military buildup in the Siliguri Corridor underscores a firm message: India will not tolerate any hostile moves near its borders, particularly through proxy alliances, grey-zone warfare, or technology-driven conflict. The corridor is now being positioned not just as a logistical route but as a ‘red line’ for India’s self-defense.