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A unique geo-strategy: How does this corridor in West Bengal connect India and Bhutan?
There is a very special geographical area in the southwest of West Bengal called the Siliguri Corridor, which is also nicknamed the "Chicken's Neck". This corridor is only 20 to 22 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. It plays a vital role both politically and economically, connecting seven northeastern states of India with various regions in mainland India. The corridor is flanked by Nepal and Bangladesh on both sides, and at the northernmost end is the Kingdom of Bhutan. With geopolitical changes, the corridor has formed an important transportation hub between India and Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sikkim, Daljiling and Northeast India.
The formation of the corridor began during the partition of India in 1947-1948, when East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was established, leading to the emergence of the Siliguri Corridor.
Historical overview
The Siliguri Corridor traces its history back to the partition of India. With the partition of Bangladesh, this area not only extended to East Pakistan in the west, but also reached an alliance with India through Sikkim, further strengthening its control over the area. In 1975, India occupied Sikkim, allowing the corridor to develop into a more important national security barrier.
Geographic location and scope
Descriptions of the corridor's extent vary, with most considering it to be 170 kilometers by 60 kilometers. Some data indicate that its length can reach 200 kilometers, and its narrowest point is only 20 to 22 kilometers. It has become a lifeline connecting India and the northeastern region. The corridor is bounded by Bangladesh to the south, Nepal to the northwest, and Bhutan to the north. The geographical conditions make the Siliguri Corridor an important strategic location in Southeast Asia.
Current situation
Connectivity and Logistics
As the Indian government has launched a series of infrastructure construction projects, such as the China-India border highway, Northeast Connect and cooperation plans with Southeast Asian countries, the connectivity of the Siliguri Corridor is also facing challenges. The corridor is the main link for transportation to mainland India and its northeastern regions and hosts a major broad gauge railway line that is currently in the process of electrification.
National Highway No. 10 connects Siliguri with Gwahati in Assam, demonstrating the strategic value of the area for domestic transportation.
Security status
With multi-layered security measures and troops stationed at the border, although the security threats in the Siliguri Corridor have reduced, internal threats still exist, including militant groups such as ULFA and NSCN. The vulnerability of the corridor was demonstrated in the 2017 Dram incident and raised doubts about Chinese military operations.
Influence in popular culture
The drama of the corridors is also reflected in literary works, such as Humphry Hawksley's novel Dragon Fire and Bruiser Baturlia's Assassin's Mace. Both describe scenarios in which China could cut off northeast India. These works demonstrate that the corridor's strategic importance remains key in international and domestic thinking.
With the changing geopolitical situation and the increasing interaction between Southeast Asian and South Asian countries, how will the Siliguri Corridor affect future geostrategy? Is this not just a line on a map, but a link between different cultures and countries?
