The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army

India's northeast has been the focus of foreign designs since a longtime – not just China's illegal claims to Arunachal Pradesh. Prior to the formation of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman wrote in a book authored by him, "Because Eastern Pakistan must have sufficient land for expansion, Eastern Pakistan must include Assam to be financially and economically strong". During the Khaleda Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) rule in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh army was exercising for a 'Cold Start' to seize the Siliguri Corridor, to be supported by terrorist organisations in the region.

This region came more into focus with the CIA-engineered regime change in Bangladesh, installing Mohammad Yunus as Chief Advisor to the Interim Government of Bangladesh

The Siliguri Corridor, a 22-km wide strip in North Bengal, connects the rest of India with its seven northeastern states and lies sandwiched between Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and China. This region came more into focus with the CIA-engineered regime change in Bangladesh, installing Mohammad Yunus as Chief Advisor to the Interim Government of Bangladesh.

Since Yunus took charge following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster, Bangladesh's policy direction has undergone a marked shift, with overtures to China for investments and a reset of ties with Pakistan. Intelligence assessments describe this as part of a strategic attempt to "reshape the power balance" in the eastern neighbourhood, potentially affecting the security of the region. Under Yunus, Bangladesh has renewed a Memorandum of Understanding with China's state-run Power China for a project in Bangladesh, costing $1 billion, close to India's Chicken's Neck. The $1 billion Teesta Multipurpose Project being offered to China is also proximate to the same region. In addition, Bangladeshhas offered China the World War II-era Lalmonirhat Air Base proximate to India's Siliguri Corridor, giving the contract for reactivation to a Pakistani construction company, for eventual use by the Chinese PLA, and construction of hangars is already underway. Bangladesh is planning to activate the Thakurgaon airstrip on the same lines as Lalmonirhat. Pakistani military and ISI officials have been visiting these areas.

Bangladesh has offered China the World War II-era Lalmonirhat Air Base proximate to India's Siliguri Corridor

During the recent visit of Pakistan's Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Sahir Shamshad Mirza to Bangladesh, Yunus presented him a book containing a map of Bangladesh that includes part of northeastern states of India. Yunus then presented the same artwork, featuring a map of Bangladesh to include Northeast India, to a visiting Turkish parliamentary delegation. These are deliberate acts to enrage India by Yunus backed by both the US and China.

India has therefore fortified its eastern border by establishing three new military garrisons along the Indo-Bangladesh frontier to secure the strategic Siliguri Corridor; aimed at enhancing surveillance and rapid response capabilities. Three new military garrisons have been established along the Indo-Bangladesh border, at Bamuni (near Dhubri – 30-km from the international border) which will be under the Tezpur-based 4 Corps, Kishanganj, and Chopra, to secure the strategic Siliguri Corridor, commonly known as the "Chicken's Neck".

During the recent visit of Pakistan's Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Sahir Shamshad Mirza to Bangladesh, Yunus presented him a book containing a map of Bangladesh that includes part of northeastern states of India

The 'Trishakti Corps', based near Siliguri, is responsible for the region's defence and regularly conducts combat and live-fire exercises, including with T-90 tanks, to maintain readiness in high-altitude and riverine terrain. Advanced military assets deployed include Rafale fighter jets at Hashimara Airbase and various missile systems such as BrahMos, S-400, MRSAM, and Akash, with the S-400 specifically aimed at deterring hostile aircraft. Additionally, the Army has increased its drone capabilities with specialised platoons and battalions. In a recent show of strength on occasion of the 93rd anniversary celebrations, the IAF flew more than 75 helicopters and aircraft, including Rafale, Sukhoi-30, MiG-29, in more than 25 formations, with the flying machines operation from seven airfields in the region, displaying their skills and spirit close to the Chicken's Neck.

Efforts are also focused on infrastructure development, including improving existing road and rail networks within the corridor. India is developing alternative rail routes through Bangladesh and exploring a potential link through Nepal to reduce reliance on the narrow corridor for connecting to the Northeast. There is also a proposal from the Assam government to develop a dedicated defence corridor in the Northeast to support defence manufacturing and logistics. These measures reflect India's strategy to enhance security and preparedness in the region, considering geopolitical factors involving neighbouring countries.

Advanced military assets deployed include Rafale fighter jets at Hashimara Airbase and various missile systems such as BrahMos, S-400, MRSAM, and Akash, with the S-400 specifically aimed at deterring hostile aircraft

The media has quoted an army official saying, "The Siliguri corridor is under multi-layered security cover. The new garrisons will enhance our quick mobility, logistics, and real-time intelligence integration." The Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has said, "As far as the Chicken's Neck is concerned, I see it from a different perspective. It is our strongest region because our entire force deployed in West Bengal, Sikkim and the Northeast can be mobilised there together."